Distinguishing Characteristics |
Body elongate, somewhat compressed; color reddish to orange with darker mottling marks on back in larger fish; reddish vertical bands in smaller fish, 3 anteriorly, V-shape under soft dorsal fin, 1 band at base of caudal fin; small fish with black spot near end of spinous dorsal fin; head spiny; spiny ridge under eye (suborbital stay); preopercle with several spines, the 2nd 1 from the top longest; pectoral fin large, fan-like, tips of lower rays free, upper rays nearly same length. |
Similar Species |
The blackbelly rosefish differs from other scorpionfish by having the 2nd spine from the top of the preopercle longest (1st longest in others) and having a squared-off pectoral fin (wedge-shaped with middle rays longest in others). |
Habitat |
Gulf, soft bottoms in deeper waters |
Maximum Size |
47 cm (18 1/2 in), common to 25 cm (10 in) |
Fin Element Counts |
D. XII,11-13; A. III,4-6 (explain) |
Other Common Names |
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Previous Scientific Names |
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Comments |
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State size/bag limits |
None; Check for state record. |