Example 2b
All images copyright protected, © Doug Segar and Elaine Stamman Segar.
The head and body of a scorpionfish fill most of the picture that you have just seen. In this enlargement of a section of the previous image you can see the scorpion head much more clearly, or perhaps not. Just in case, we have added labels to show you where the scorpionfish's mouth and eye are located.
This scorpionfish, Scorpaenopsis oxycephala, is often called the tasseled scorpionfish because of the tassel-like appendages around its jaw. Note that the camouflage includes not just the use of color but also the use of appendages and irregularities in the body shape. The tassel-like appendages and the mottled color and warty skin of this scorpionfish are perfect camouflage to allow it to blend into coral rubble backgrounds. These characteristics soften the outline of the fish and make it very difficult to detect from its outline even when it is on a background whose colors it may not match well.
The scorpionfish's camouflage is primarily used to allow it to wait quietly until a small fish or some other unsuspecting prey swims too close. The scorpion then lunges forward at lightning speed with its huge mouth wide open to engulf the prey and then snaps it shut to swallow its meal. This strategy is very energy efficient, since the scorpion does not need to expend energy while swimming and chasing prey. Thus, the scorpion is adapted to be able to occasionally move short distances very fast but, otherwise, it is a poor swimmer. Also, the scorpion only needs to be occasionally successful in finding a meal since it expends little energy lying in wait. Although the scorpion's camouflage may also be useful to it in avoiding potential predators, scorpions have another, very successful method of defense. Most scorpionfish have dorsal, anal and pelvic fins that feature long sharp spines that can inject potent venom into an unwary potential predator. Certain species have venom powerful enough to cause extreme agony and even occasionally death in humans. However, they are not aggressive to humans. Consequently, scorpionfish stings are rare and usually caused when humans, who are walking on a shallow reef, step on a scorpion by accident.