Scorpionfish ID

[crypteria]

Greetings,
I messaged a collector in the Florida Keys asking him about the Scorpionfish he had in stock. He replied with some photos. When I wrote back saying that I thought I had identified most of the fish but wasn't sure of about one in particular, he tersely replied that they were either small, medium, or large, and that he had no interest in learning their names.

And so I thought I would seek guidance from the crew here. I am interested in the small fish on the left in the first two pictures (top right in the third), with a large head and dark rings around the edges of its pectoral fins. I think it is a young scorpaena plumieri (Spotted scorpionfish) which would grow too large for me, but I wanted to make sure that it wasn't one of the smaller Caribbean scorpions like the Mushroom, for instance.
I think the larger fish with the long tentacles over its eyes is a Plumed scorpionfish, but can't be sure. Any ideas are appreciated. Thanks,
Austin

 

[jarrod13]

Kind of hard to tell from those pics... I believe you are right though it is most likely a Scorpaena plumieri as that is the most common scorp here.

Are those from diver Tom? I'm in jacksonville too and I've gotten most of my scorps here locally.

 

[crypteria]

Good call, yes that's who I contacted...
Mind if I ask where you get your scorps from locally? Bioreef and Coral logic have only common lionfish (Fuzzy dwarf, Miles, Volitans etc) though Jason from OPA sometimes has Radiatas and Fu Machus (I bought mine from him).
I've been looking for an smaller, interesting colored Inimicus for a long time and also a Papuan Scorpionfish (I like the Tassled too but they grow a bit large for my tank).
Thanks for the response and cheers,
Austin

 

[jarrod13]

I've gotten most of mine through Ocean Reef, which include a Rhinopias, Inimicus, C. multibarbus, cockatoo waspfish, anglers, toadfish, and multiple lionfish. Talk to Mike or Ian, they are pretty good about getting what you would like when it is available. The thing about them is their selection is rarely plentiful, but they do get the oddball stuff in occasionally. For the fish you mentioned you would honestly have better luck online, like LA-DD, but try the lfs first and support the local business ;-) finding these kind of fish especially specific ones is always a waiting game, but definitely worth the wait!

 

[crypteria]

Thank you! I haven't yet visited Ocean Reef but will check them out. I've seen some great scorps on DD but they have been a bit large for the guys I already have (worried they might get eaten). Cheers!

 

[jarrod13]

It's not as nice as bio reef or coral logic but still worth it to check out for sure. What kind of scorps do you have currently?

Btw thanks for the heads up by posting those pics, I bought the dark one with the "horns"

 

[crypteria]

Very nice! You think that is a Plumed scorpion? Impressive tentacles!
I have only two, a Fu Manchu I rescued from C.L. (infested with flukes and miserable in the holding tank it was in) and a Radiata I bought from O.P.A. It had lymphocytis but the symptoms have gone away at least.
Both fish spent about 2 months each in QT and switched over to frozen quickly.
They are in a 24" deep 105 gallon. Here are a couple of pics:

 

[rayn]

Nice lions there! Plumieri it is. The three black bands on the tail fin give that up. They get like 14" when full grown. If you do have the room they are great and easily converted, but cover your tank. They swim more then you think.

 

[jarrod13]

Nice looking lions! I just lost my fu, I had him for about 2 years. Good job getting them both to eat frozen.

Yes all the scorps in those pics are Scorpaena plumieri