Description:

Dorsal spines: 12; Dorsal rays: 8-10; Anal spines: 3; Anal rays: 5-6.

Stout body with a large head and humped back. Dorsal fins short. Lachrymal bone with 2 or 3 spines over maxillary, first points forward, followed by 1 or 
by 2 close-set spines which point down and back. Suborbital ridge with 4 or more spinous points, usually more than 8 or 10 points, not in a row and of 
various sizes. Shallow pit situated at anterior corner of eyes. 

Colour: Variable colouration ranging from mottled white to red, orange and green, often blending in with surroundings. A large black spot on the bright 
yellowish-orange inner surface of the pectoral fin. 
 

Maturity: Unknown. Max length: 30.0 cm TL.
 

Inhabits reef flats, lagoons and seaward reefs, often associated with weed and rocky bottoms (depth 1-70 m). Solitary or in pairs. Benthic, often partly 
buried, ambush predator. Piscivore. Flashes brightly coloured pectoral fins when threatened.
 

This species is not protected or subject to fishery regulations. It is not typically subject to the artisanal fishery.
 

Do not touch! Venomous. Venom is stored in glands located at the base of the dorsal spines.  
Photographed at northwest Mahé, Seychelles.

Bray, D.J. (2018). Scorpaenopsis diabolus in Fishes of Australia, https://fishesofaustralia.net.au/home/species/2124 (27/09/22). 
Froese, R. & D. Pauly. (Eds.) (2022). FishBase. https://www.fishbase.de/summary/Scorpaenopsis-diabolus.html (27/09/22). 
Mason-Parker, C. et al. (2021). Scorpaenopsis diabolus in Reef Fishes of Seychelles. John Beaufoy Publishing Ltd, UK.
Motomura, H. & Matsuura, K. (2016). Scorpaenopsis diabolus. The IUCN Red List 2016: https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T69918624A70009965.en. (27/09/22). 
 

Mason-Parker, C. & Nevill, J.E.G. (2022). Scorpaenopsis diabolus, False stonefish. Seychelles Seatizens. www.seatizens.sc https://seatizens.sc/species/scorpaenopsis-diabolus-cuvier-1829/