Common Name: Eastern Red Scorpionfish

Distribution: Abundant throughout the Solitary Islands Marine Park. Known only from coastal waters of eastern Australia, where it is recorded from southern Queensland, through New South Wales to eastern Victoria.

Ecological Notes: Frequents shallow estuaries and rocky coastal to deep offshore reef. Benthic species camouflaged amongst rocks, corals and algae. Depth to 73 m.

Additional Notes: For many years, this species was called Scorpaena cardinalis, however a recent paper in 2011 showed that the correct name for the species is S. jacksoniensis and that S. cardinalis occurs in New Zealand waters. Extremely variable colouration and able to change quickly to suit background. They possess large spines on head which can inflict painful injury. Often with pale spots or blotches on caudal peduncle, black spots on belly and thorax. Grows to 34 cm. 

References: Atlas of Living Australia website at https://bie.ala.org.au/search?q=Scorpaena+jacksoniensis. Accessed 07/07/18.

FishBase. Froese, R. and D. Pauly. Editors. 2018. World Wide Web electronic publication. https://fishbase.ca/summary/Scorpaena-jacksoniensis.html. Accessed 07/07/18.