Round Scorpionfish

This species is distinguished by the following characters: D XII, 8 or 9 (usually 9); pectoral-fin rays 17-19 (18); scale rows in longitudinal series 33-41 (mode 37); pored lateral-line scales 23-25 (24); scale rows above lateral line 5-8 (6), below 9-12 (11); scale rows between last dorsal-fin spine base and lateral line 4-6 (5); scale rows between sixth dorsal-fin spine base and lateral line 4-6 (5); gill rakers 14-21 (17); the lateral surface of maxilla has a distinct longitudinal ridge; no lateral lacrimal spine; suborbital spines 3; with a distinct second preopercular spine; posterior margin of maxilla reaching or extending beyond vertical through posterior margin of orbit; minute slit behind last gill arch; dorsal profile of head strongly rounded; eye large, orbit diameter greater than snout length (Ref. 104739).

Dorsal spines (total): 12; Dorsal soft rays (total): 8 - 9; Analspines: 3; Analsoft rays: 5

分布於西太平洋海域，包括臺灣及新加勒多尼亞等。臺灣西南部及小琉球海域有分布。

小型魚類，除學術研究外，不具經濟價值。

體長橢圓形，側扁。頭大。眼後頂骨部無凹溝。眼眶上部具細長之皮瓣。眶前骨2棘；眶下骨3棘；前鰓蓋骨5棘；淚骨具有2強棘。口中大，斜裂，上下頜約略等常；腭骨有齒。體被櫛鱗。背鰭硬棘較粗壯，具XII，背鰭第III棘最長，各棘間之鰭膜缺刻，前半部較深，後半部較淺，軟條9；臀鰭硬棘III，軟條5；腹鰭I, 5；胸鰭中大，無游離鰭條，上方具數條分支的鰭條，鰭條18。體及各鰭一致為淺紅色，有時具鮮紅色的斑駁散在體側及各鰭上。

近海較深水域的底棲魚種，棲息深度可達300公尺。生活習性不甚清楚。