Sebastapistes cyanostigma (Bleeker, 1856)

Species Identification

Sebastapistes cyanostigma is a small scorpionfish.

Fin Structure

Its dorsal fin has 12 spines and 9 or 10 soft rays, while its anal fin has 3 spines and 5 or 6 soft rays.

Size

The maximum published standard length of this species is 10 cm (3.9 in), although a length of 6.4 cm (2.5 in) is more typical.

Coloration

Its overall body color ranges from pinkish to reddish, and it is covered in numerous very small whitish spots and large yellow blotches, with yellowish fins.

General Distribution

This species has a wide distribution across the Indo-Pacific.

Range Extent

Its range extends from the Red Sea and the eastern coast of Africa, south as far as South Africa, east through the coasts and islands of the Indian and Pacific Oceans as far east as Tonga, north to southern Japan, and south to northern Australia.

Australian Distribution

In Australian waters, it can be found on the offshore reefs of north Western Australia, at Ashmore Reef in the Timor Sea, on the far north of the Great Barrier Reef and other reefs in the Coral Sea south to North Stradbroke Island in Queensland, as well as at Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands.

Habitat and Depth

It inhabits shallow waters at depths between 2 and 30 m (6 ft 7 in and 98 ft 5 in), where it occurs on coral-rich reef crests in surge areas.