SYNANCEIIDAE


Choridactylus multibarbus, 9.0 cm SL
(photo by Ukkrit Satapoomin)



Choridactylus multibarbus, 5.6 cm SL
(photo by Ukkrit Satapoomin)


Choridactylus multibarbus
Richardson, 1848
Threefinger Scorpionfish

D XII-XIV, 8-9; A II, 8-9; P1 12; GR 9-11.

Body oblong, moderately compressed. Head relatively small. Interorbital space wide, its width equal to 1.5 times orbit diamter. No teeth on vomer and palatines. Three lower pectoral fin rays free and detached from remainder of fin; uppermost pectoral fin ray not filamentous in adults. Color: body yellowish to brownish, with a yellow to reddish marking on shoulder. Inside of pectoral fin with about five oblong white areas, surrounded by black or brown pigment and usually with white specks in axil. Size: maximum standard length 10.3 cm. Distribution: widely distributed in the Indo-West Pacific, from the Red Sea east to China and the Philippines. Remarks: occurs in coastal waters. A highly venomous species.