Author: Troschel, 1866
Scorpaena laevis Troschel, 1866
Status in World Register of Marine Species:
Accepted name: Scorpaena laevis Troschel, 1866 (updated 2009-06-25)
Diagnosis: head large; snout as long as orbit diameter, about 10% of SL; preorbital bone with 2 spines over maxilla in juveniles and 3 in adults; upper post-temporal spine present; other spines as for the genus. Occipital pit deep. Pores at symphysis of lower jaw separate. Supra- ocular tentacle variable, sometimes longer than orbit diameter; other tentacles also variable but usually well developed, especially under the head and on the lower jaw. Dorsal fin with 12 spines and 9 rays; pectoral fin with 18-20 rays and reaching to about first anal spine. All scales cycloid; 40-45 vertical rows of scales; pectoral fin base, cheek, and chest scaled. Vertebrae 24. Gillrakers 13-15. Colour: variable; in juveniles the axil of the pectoral fin is dark brown to black with some white blotches; adults have large brown spots on the inside of the pectoral fin. Size: to 35 cm, usually to 20 cm.
Habitat: benthic on rocky areas in shallow water to 100 m. Food: no data. Reproduction: no data.
Distribution: the Azores, Madeira, Cape Verde Is., Mauritania, Senegal and the Gulf of Guinea south to Pointe Noire; absent in Mediterranean.
Eggs, larvae and young stages. No data.
Otoliths (sagitta). No data.