Big red dragon head
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Great red scorpionfish ( Scorpaena scrofa ) |
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| Scorpaena scrofa | ||||||||||||
| Linnaeus , 1758 |
The great red scorpionfish ( Scorpaena scrofa ), also called sea sow , is a lazy bottom fish of the Mediterranean and the northeastern Atlantic . It belongs to the family of the scorpion fish (Scorpaenidae) and the subordination of the scorpionfish relatives (Scorpaenoidei).
distribution
The scorpionfish occurs in the Mediterranean Sea, in the northeast Atlantic from Senegal to the British Isles , as well as in Madeira , the Canary and Cape Verde Islands . It is most commonly found on rocky, algae-covered grounds. Occasionally the Great Red Dragon's Head can also be found on sandy soil at a depth of 20 to 500 meters. The fish usually remains motionless on the bottom, where it lurks well camouflaged for prey. Only when he is disturbed does he swim away and hurry to find a new hiding place.
Appearance, toxicity
The Great Red Scorpionfish is a maximum of 50 centimeters long, but usually stays at a length of 30 centimeters. It has a robust, strong body that is slightly flattened on the sides. Its large, broad head is armed with spikes. Tentacle-like skin processes sit over the eyes and on the nostrils. The chin is also characterized by numerous skin flaps. The dragon's head has noticeably few, but quite large scales. There are around 35 to 40 along the sideline. It has large, wide pectoral fins and no swim bladder , which it does not need as a bottom dweller.
In the dorsal fin as well as in the anal fin, some rays are formed into poisonous spines, which it sets up in case of danger. The poison can also be fatal to humans. It immediately causes very severe pain that can last for a long time. Attack-like pain and circulatory collapse can occur even after months. The stonefish poison serum can be used, but it is only made in Australia and is difficult to obtain in Europe due to its short shelf life. Since the poison is sensitive to heat, the area can be treated with approx. 50 ° C hot water or a hot compress as an immediate measure. However, this method is controversial because the poisoning can also result in scalding from water that is too hot.
The mostly reddish-brown coloring is very different depending on the habitat. The fish sheds its skin at regular intervals - often several times a month.
nutrition
Diet: crustaceans , molluscs , fish
The Great Red Scorpionfish hunts during twilight and at night. As a stalker, it mainly relies on its perfect camouflage and waits until potential prey - small fish and crustaceans - has gotten close enough to it. Then the dragon head strikes at lightning speed.
Multiplication
Spawning season: late spring and summer
The eggs are laid down as a gelatinous, transparent spawning lump.
Others
The scorpionfish is a good food fish . Large specimens are steamed whole or fried in the oven. Remove the firm, leathery skin before serving. The scorpionfish gets a decorative red color after preparation and has a relatively soft flesh.
literature
- Hans A. Baensch / Robert A. Patzner: Mergus Sea Water Atlas Volume 6 Non-Perciformes (Non-Perciformes) , Mergus-Verlag, Melle, ISBN 3-88244-116-X
- Matthias Bergbauer / Bernd Humberg: What lives in the Mediterranean? 1999, Franckh-Kosmos Verlag, ISBN 3-440-07733-0
Web links
- Big Red Scorpionfish on Fishbase.org (English)