black sea red data book - Department of Biology

Scorpaena porcus (Linnaeus, 1758)
Synonyms: Cottus massiliensis Gmelin, 1778; Scorpenaporcus Blach, 1788;
Scorpena rascassa Lacepede, 1801.
Common names: Engl: Scorpionfish; Bulg: Skorpid; Rom: Scorpia de mare; Russ:
Morskoy yorsh; Turk: Lipsoz.
Order SCORPAENTFORMES
Family SCORPAENTDAE
Taxonomic description. Head with conspicuous branched fleshy flaps, particularly
above the eyes and at the anterior nasal openings, but none on the lower jaw, on the
free edges of the scales, along the lateral line and the back. Upper jaw without a
conspicuous longitudinal ridge; two pores under the chin behind the junction of the
lower jaws; back and sides brown, marbled with irregular dark bands and patches.
Large head, armed with numerous spines and crests. Venomous spines on the anterior
portion of the dorsal fin. Mouth wide, with small teeth and large, rounded pectoral
fins with upper rays branched and lower ones simple. Profile of head, behind the
eyes, with a pronounced depression. Size maximum 25 cm, average about 15 cm.
IUCN Status
World level:
Black Sea Regional level:
Subregion level: VU
Distribution, Habitat type, Critical habitats, Limiting factors. A sedentary,
solitary species inhabiting littoral waters among rocks and seaweeds. Common in the
Mediterranean and east Atlantic, from the British Isles to the Canary Islands. The
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