Common Goose Scorpionfish (Asia Pacific)

Scorpionfish are fascinating ambush predators whose texture and coloration mimics a piece of the sea floor: some algae, sponge, coral or crinoid. They even move their bodies in waving motions as if they were debris being blown in the current. Sometimes they drift so far to the side they nearly fall over in a hilarious attempt to be unseen. Smaller animals will be swallowed whole with their huge mouths. They greedily eat all shrimp many crabs, and any small or slender bodied fish. They do not harm corals, sponges, macroalgae or snails. They generally ignore anything that cannot be eaten. Best tank mates are large bodied fish such as tangs, angelfish, groupers, triggerfish and puffers. Sometimes the slow moving scorpionfish may become a target for aggressive fish. Fish that graze on the rockwork may mistake the scorpionfish's body for algae and pick on them. scorpionfish don't fight with their own kind, however they may stress each other out, and for this reason if they are to be kept together the aquarium must be sufficiently large that they can be out of eyesight of one another. Occasionally the scorpionfish may shed its skin in order to clean itself.

The tips of the scorpionfish's fins contain a toxin that can cause extremely painful wounds. The sting may be as mild as a hornet sting or much worse- great care should be taken when handling the scorpionfish, and children should never be allowed to put their fingers in the water with the fish.

Scorpionfish feed by sucking in their food whole into their enormous mouths. They are carnivores and should be fed at least once every two or three days a high quality diet of krill, silversides and chopped seafood. Live food may initially be necessary, and the fish trained to eat off a feeding stick.

There is nothing in the ocean quite like the Goose Scorpionfish. Its eyes sit at the top of its head, and its large mouth curves upwards giving it hilarious duck lips. Its huge dorsal fin is held erect, and it may have any sort of bizarre tassels, warts, cirri, stripes or spots, giving it a unique appearance sure to start a conversation. Its coloration is usually earthy shades of chocolate and coffee. The Goose Scorpionfish grows up to 9 inches and should be kept in an aquarium of at least 30 gallons.