Author: Günther, 1874
Sebastapistes nuchalis Günther, 1874
Status in World Register of Marine Species:
Accepted name: Sebastapistes nuchalis (Günther, 1874) (updated 2009-06-25)
Diagnosis: head large; snout shorter than eye diameter; preorbital bone with 2 spines over maxilla; sub-orbitals with 2 spinous points; other spines as for Scorpaena. Occipital pit absent. Pores at symphysis of lower jaw separate. Supra-ocular tentacle absent; no skin flaps on head and body. Dorsal fin with 12 spines and 9 rays; pectoral fin with 15 rays. 24 tubular scales on lateral line. Gillrakers on lower arch 5. Colour: red-brown, mottled and marbled; fins barred with oblique, brown, narrow bands. Size: to 10 cm.
Habitat: benthic inshore species on rocky and sandy bottoms. Food: crustaceans. Reproduction: no data.
Distribution: in Clofnam area, Cyprus and coast of Egypt; immigrant through the Suez Canal. Elsewhere, coasts of eastern Africa, rare or even absent in Red Sea, central tropical Pacific and Hawaii.
Eggs, larvae and young stages. No data.
Otoliths (sagitta). No data.