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species spotlight | DANIEL KNOP<br />
It’s easy to<br />
keep the Ambon<br />
Scorpionfish<br />
(Pteroidichthys<br />
amboinensis)<br />
in pairs.<br />
The Ambon Scorpionfish<br />
Pteroidichthys amboinensis<br />
Phylum: Chordata (vertebrates)<br />
Class: Osteichthyes (bony fishes)<br />
Order: Scorpaeniformes (scorpionfishes<br />
and their allies)<br />
Family: Scorpaenidae (scorpionfishes)<br />
Genus/species: Pteroidichthys amboinensis<br />
OVERVIEW<br />
This bizarrely finned little scorpionfish demands a tank<br />
of its own, as it is virtually impossible to keep one with<br />
smaller fishes or crustaceans; it will generally regard these<br />
as food. These scorpionfishes belong in a species tank,<br />
where more than one can be kept. The<br />
aquarium dimensions should accord<br />
with the maximum size of the fish(es),<br />
usually 20 gallons (75 L) or larger.<br />
The dorsal-, ventral-, and anal-fin<br />
rays have poison glands in their mucous<br />
coating, but these scorpionfishes<br />
use their weapons only for defense,<br />
usually passively by erecting their fin<br />
rays, but their enormously effective<br />
camouflage greatly increases the risk of<br />
the incautious aquarist sustaining an<br />
injury. Be extremely careful when keeping<br />
these fishes.<br />
Ambon Scorpionfishes are sometimes<br />
difficult to persuade to feed,<br />
as they are initially reluctant to accept<br />
dead prey, such as pieces of fish<br />
ALL: D. KNOP<br />
Very small specimens of Pteroidichthys<br />
amboinensis are sometimes available in the<br />
trade, but they quickly grow to the maximum<br />
size of 4.75 inches (12 cm).<br />
CORAL<br />
115
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