Scorpion Fish: Scorpaenopsis neglecta

• This for the first time the particular species is discovered alive in Indian waters.
• It has been deposited in the National Marine Biodiversity Museum of the CMFRI.

Key Points

• Characteristics of Scorpaenopsis neglecta:
  • Powerful sensory system:
    • Unlike other fish, this band-tail Scorpionfish uses its lateral sensory system instead of eyes to hunt its prey.
    • The lateral sensory system is a system of sense organs found in fishes which are used to detect movement, vibration, and pressure gradients in the surrounding water.
  • Colour changing:
    • The fish has the ability to change colour and camouflage to escape from predators and while catching prey.
    • Camouflage: It is a defence or tactic that organisms use to disguise their appearance, usually to blend in with their surrounding environment. This allows prey to avoid predators, and for predators to sneak up on prey.
  • Neurotoxic:
    • The fish is called ‘scorpionfish’ because its spines contain a neurotoxin.
      • Neurotoxins are chemical substances that are poisonous to the nervous system.
      • Neurotoxins work by disrupting chemical signals sent between neurons and paralysing the whole system.
      • Generally snakes i.e. King Cobra and marine snakes have these types of venom
    • When the spines pierce an individual, the venom gets injected immediately.
    • Eating the fish would also lead to death.
• About the Scorpionfish:
  • Scorpionfish belong to the family Scorpaenidae which are mostly marine fish that includes many of the world’s most venomous species.
  • It is commonly found in the Indo-West Pacific region of the world.
    • It is a biogeographic region of Earth’s seas, comprising the tropical waters of the Indian Ocean, the western and central Pacific Ocean, and the seas connecting the two in the general area of Indonesia.
  • It is a nocturnal feeder and lays motionless in the sea bottom and waits for the prey to come close to it.
    • Nocturnal species are those which prefer to be active at night and sleep during the day. E.g. Bats.