About twenty species are known, principally from seas of the temperate zones, as from the coasts of Northern Europe (S. norvegicus, S. viviparus), of Japan, California, New Zealand, and Van Diemen’s Land. All seem to prefer deep water to the surface, and Sebastes macrochir has been obtained at a depth of 345 fathoms. In their general form they resemble the Sea-Perches, attain to a weight of from one to four lbs., and are generally esteemed as food.
Scorpæna.—Head large, slightly compressed, generally with a transverse naked depression on the occiput; bones of the head armed with spines, and generally with skinny tentacles. Scales of moderate size. Mouth large, oblique. Villiform teeth in the jaws, and at least on the vomer. One dorsal, 12–13/9, A. 3/5. Pectoral fins without detached rays, large, rounded, with the lower rays simple and thickened. Air-bladder none. Vertebræ twenty-four.
Fig. 179.—Head of Scorpæna percoides, from New Zealand.
Fig. 180.—Scorpæna bynoensis, from the coasts of Australia.
About forty species are known from tropical and sub-tropical seas. They lead a sedentary life, lying hidden in the sand, or between rocks covered with seaweed, watching for their prey, which chiefly consists of small fishes. Their strong undivided pectoral rays aid them in burrowing in the sand, and in moving along the bottom. The type of their coloration is very much the same in all the species, viz. an irregular mottling of red, yellow, brown, and black colours, but the distribution of these colours varies exceedingly, not only in the same species but also in the same individuals. They do not attain to any considerable size, probably never exceeding a length of 18 inches. Their flesh is well flavoured. Wounds inflicted by their fin-spines are exceedingly painful, but not followed by serious consequences.
Glyptauchen and Lioscorpius are genera closely allied to Scorpæna, from Australian seas.
Setarches is also allied to the preceding genera, and provided with very large eyes, in accordance with the depth (215 fathoms) which the two species known at present inhabit; one has been found near Madeira, the other near the Fiji Islands.
Pterois.—Head and body compressed; scales of small or moderate size. Bones of the head armed with numerous spinous projections, between which often skinny tentacles are developed. The dorsal spines and pectoral rays are more or less prolonged, passing beyond the margin of the connecting membrane. Twelve or thirteen dorsal spines. Villiform teeth in the jaws and on the vomer.