Pontinus sierra (Gilbert, 1890)
Speckled scorpionfish
Pontinus sierra
photo by Robertson, R.

Family:  Scorpaenidae (Scorpionfishes or rockfishes), subfamily: Scorpaeninae
Max. size:  28 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; marine; depth range - 250 m
Distribution:  Eastern Central Pacific: Gulf of California to Panama. Distributional range extends to Peru (Ref. 36715).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 12-13; Dorsal soft rays (total): 8-9; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 5-6; Vertebrae: 24-24. Branchiostegal rays: 7 (Ref. 36715).
Biology:  Adults are demersal while juveniles are pelagic (Ref. 36715). Oviparous, with planktonic larvae (Ref. 36715). Eggs are probably released in buoyant gelatinous mass (Ref. 36715).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 01 May 2008 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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