This entry was posted on Wednesday, October 15th, 2008 at 8:57 pm and is filed under About, Adventure Cruises, Information, Sites, Snorkeling. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
Photos Courtesy Fishbase.org/Dr. Jack Randall/Zimmermann
The ancient Hawaiians called this fish Nohu `Omakaha. With a face that only a mother devil scorpionfish could love, this fish was considered edible, although this author has not been able to find any local people who catch and eat this fish today. The Hawaiians also say ho’o nohu for scowl, or frown, and I couldn’t agree more! This fish does look like they have a bad attitude! But, they are a very formidable fish if you don’t know what you are doing! They have a series of dorsal spines (11 to 14) that are packed with a wallop! In studying one species (Plumerieri), scientists discovered that the venom causes a decrease in blood pressure, and respiratory and cardiac frequency. Infections will follow and some wounds could take many months to heal. (Science Direct – Elsevier)
The devil scorpionfish seen in Hawaiian waters does not have that intense of a venom, however it can inflict a very painful wound if stepped on or handled. Hawaiian waters do not have the very deadly stonefish, which can be found in the South Pacific reefs. It is said the venom of that species is similar to a cobra, and death could follow within one hour of human contact with that fish. There are other relatives, which we will discuss in a future posting.
Does anything eat a scorpionfish? The devil scorpionfish (called ‘false’ scorpionfish by scientists) feed mainly on small fish and crustaceans they ambush, usually at dusk, or night, and may be eaten by sharks, moray eels and stingrays. Click HERE for a video! The scorpionfish is an ambush predator and may been seen half buried in sandy bottoms. This fish can grow to one foot long and, although not easy to spot, can be commonly seen in most reefs.
If you are planning on a snorkeling trip while in Hawaii, keep a watchful eye out for this predator. If it becomes alarmed, the rainbow color pattern behind the pectoral fins is breathtaking!
