Habitat, Sandwich Islands.
Vernacular, “Upapalu.”
Remarks.—The longitudinal series of maculations will readily determine this species. Under the lens the spots assume the appearance of clusters of minute dots, some of which have blue central points.
Scorpæna Artedi, (L.)
S. parvipinnis, Garrett.
D. 13·10; A. 3-5; V. 1-5; P. 7-9; C. 5, 1, 6, 5, 1, 3.
In this species the upper and lower outlines are quite similar, being gently arched. The greatest depth of the body falls slightly short of one-third of the total length, and the greatest thickness at the base of the head, is a little more than two-thirds of the above mentioned depth. The head constitutes just one-third of the whole fish. The eye is large, circular, its diameter being nearly one-fourth of the length of the head. Four spines may be seen along the upper edge of the orbit, and the same number on each side of the occipital region and nape, the posterior one the larger. Two intraorbital spines, one on the nasal bone, and a longitudinal row of four along the supratympanic region. Two on the opercle, the lower one long and projecting posterior to the margin of that bone. A stout one may be observed on the humeral region, one on the infra-orbital, three on the margin of the preopercle, and a longitudinal row of irregularly disposed ones along the cheek. The lower jaw is slightly longer than the upper, and the tip of the maxillary extends as far back as the hinder border of the eye. Fine scales envelop the basal portions of all the fins except the ventrals, and cover all parts of the head except the jaws and the lower half of the maxillary bone. Minute filaments are observed on all parts of the fish, being more numerous on the upper anterior third of the body. The dorsal and anal fins are small, the former commencing above the origin of the latter line. The spiny portion of the dorsal is very low, gently arched, and constitutes nearly two-thirds of the fin. The soft portion of the anal fin is very narrow and rounded off.
The head and anterior half of the body is greyish, passing into light carnation beneath, and obscurely clouded with dusky. The posterior half of the body is dusky black, which fades into pink beneath, maculated with small darker spots. Caudal trunk, pink. Two large dusky black spots on the anterior dorsal region. Irides greenish-yellow. Fins pinky-red, the spiny dorsal mottled with dusky, and the other fins dotted with pinky-brown, and a bar of the same color on the caudal base.
Length, 4 inches.
Habitat, Sandwich Islands.