Fish Identification Photos: Peruvian Scorpionfish, Scorpaena afuerae: The Peruvian Scorpionfish is characterized by its overall scorpionfish-like appearance with a scarlet body, head and fins, and importantly, the depth of its collection, as it is one of the few deep-water scorpionfish.

Unlike most other scorpionfish the Peruvian Scorpionfish has a small head and does not have an abundance of skin flaps, although it does have characteristic deep pits before and behind the eyes and a series of irregular bars on all fins.

The Peruvian Scorpionfish is found between 100 and 250 feet deep in the water column, in and around rocky structure. It reaches a maximum length of 15 inches. The Peruvian Scorpionfish might be confused with the Bandfin Scorpionfish, Scorpaena histrio (black blotch aft of the gill cover); Rainbow Scorpionfish, Scorpaena xyris (black blotch just aft of the lower portion of the gill covers); or the Red Scorpionfish, Pontinus furcirhinus (very elongated third dorsal spine).

The Peruvian Scorpionfish has not previously been reported to be resident in Mexican waters. The catch of the specimen shown below was made at the Inner Gordo Bank, off San Jose del Cabo, Baja California Sur, Mexico, 109.2 degrees W, 23.1 degrees N. The closest previous collection was made at the Cocos Islands, Costa Rica, 37.1 degrees W, 5.3 degrees N, some 1,800 miles to the southeast. The Peruvian Scorpionfish is also common off the coast of Peru and the countries of South America.

The Peruvian Scorpionfish is a member of the Scorpaenidae or Scorpionfish Family. This scorpionfish, like all scorpionfish, should be treated as “hazardous” and released as soon as possible, being careful not to allow its poisonous spines to penetrate the skin.

Peruvian Scorpionfish, Scorpaena afuerae: Caught Captain Pata in the panga Salome, La Playita, San Jose del Cabo, Baja California Sur, Mexico, in August 2004, in 200-foot deep water, utilizing 30-pound test, with a 40-pound, two dropper loop rig, with swivel, 6-ounce bank sinker, and Mustad 92553 hooks, size 2/0 on cut squid, 15 miles north of La Playita. Approximately 8 inches. Description and photo courtesy John Snow. Species identification confirmed by Dr. Ross Robertson, Smithsonian Institute, Panama.