SCORPAENIDAE Scorpaenodes varipinnis, 4.0 cm SL (photo by Richard Winterbottom) Scorpaenodes varipinnis Smith, 1957 Blotchfin Scorpionfish D XIII, 8; A III, 5; P1 17-19; P2 I, 5; LR 37-40. Body compressed; relatively deep, body depth 2.6-3.0 in SL. Interorbital and coronal spines absent. Three suborbital spines. Color: body with poorly defined large reddish brown blotches. No distinct dark blotches on opercle or subopercle. A blackish arc at base of pectoral fins. Caudal fin peduncle with a white bar followed by a narrow reddish bar. Size: maximum length 7 cm SL. Distribution: distributed in the Indo-West Pacific, from the Seychelles east to New Caledonia, and southern Japan south to Australia. Remarks: found in rocky and coral reef sublittoral areas to depths of about 15 m.