All fish / Scorpaenidae

Yellowspotted Scorpionfish

Sebastapistes cyanostigma

Also known as yellow-spotted scorpionfish, coral scorpionfish, pocillopora scorpionfish, yellow spotted scorpion fish, coral-dwelling scorpionfish, イソカサゴ属, 蓝斑小鲉

A small scorpionfish with a reddish to brown body covered in pale yellow spots, it lives among the branches of Pocillopora and similar branching corals. Keepers like it because it stays small enough for nano reefs and has plenty of character as an ambush predator.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

7 cm

Temperature

24 to 28 °C

pH

8.1 to 8.4

Smallest tank

75 litres

Keep as

Singly or as a pair

Diet

Carnivore: live and frozen shrimp such as mysis and krill, small fish flesh; may need live food at first

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

5 to 8 years

Water

Marine (saltwater)

Wild range

Indo-Pacific, from the Red Sea and East Africa to Samoa and the Line Islands

Breeding

It lays eggs in a floating gelatinous mass and the larvae are planktonic. It has not been bred regularly in home aquariums.

Good to know

Its fin spines are venomous and can give a painful sting, so handle the tank with care. It will eat small fish and shrimps that fit in its mouth.