Scorpionfish are one of the most dangerous marine animals. Even the name of these fish comes from the accepted in foreign languages the name "scorpion fish", which indicates a strong poisonousness. Despite the fact that scorpions cannot be called beautiful, few people can compete with them in the colorfulness and quirkiness of forms. Systematically, several genera of fish from the scorpion family of the Scorpioformes order are systematically classified as scorpions. Lionfish and spiny cheeks are very close to them, more distant relatives scorpionfish are warts, groupers, gurnards and trigles.

Red scorpionfish (Scorpaena scrofa).

Scorpionfish are small and medium-sized fish, the length of most species does not exceed 30 cm. They are characterized by big head and a short, sharply narrowing body towards the tail. The tail itself is small and inconspicuous, but the fins are large, with highly developed rays. The dorsal fin is divided by a notch into two parts: in the anterior part 7-17 rays turned into sharp spines, in the rear part there is only one such spine. In addition, one spine is present in the ventral fins and 2-3 in the anal. Each spine has two grooves along which the mucus secreted by poisonous glands at the base of the spine flows. This principle of structure is a bit like the arrangement of poisonous teeth in snakes. In addition to spines, scorpions have a bony bridge under the eye that protects the head, which is why these fish are sometimes called armor-cheeked. Scorpionfish also have short spines on their cheeks, but they are not venomous. The eyes of these fish are bulging like those of toads and frogs.

The mouth of the scorpionfish is large and, if necessary, can open very wide.

With snakes, scorpions have another property unique to fish. The fact is that scorpionfish ... molt! They change periodically skin covering(for example, the Black Sea scorpionfish does this every month), and, like snakes, scorpionfish shed their skin entirely in the form of a stocking. But the main distinguishing feature scorpionfish are numerous outgrowths that cover the body of the fish. They can be developed to varying degrees - from short tufts that mimic mossiness to branched formations that resemble algae or corals. Complements this entourage motley coloring.

The color of the scorpionfish in richness and variegation resembles an oriental carpet.

Although the color scheme of most species is reduced to red-brown tones, but a lot of small multi-colored spots, lines, streaks and halftones make the drawing incredibly rich, and the scorpion itself is invisible against the colorful background of the coral reef.

The complex pattern of the lacy scorpionfish (Rhinopias aphanes) continuously passes from the body to the fins, creating a perfect resemblance to a coral branch.

The color of the lace scorpionfish is very variable: among the representatives of this species one can meet red, yellow, black, one-color and multi-colored individuals. Males and females of all scorpions look the same.

This gloomy fish is also a lacy scorpionfish.

Another outfit from the rich "wardrobe" of lace scorpions.

The habitat of the scorpion covers all tropical and subtropical zones the globe. A lot of species of scorpions can be found on the islands of the Malay Archipelago, the Philippines, and Thailand. One of the northernmost species is the Black Sea scorpionfish, or sea ​​ruff that lives in the Black Sea. In general, all scorpions live exclusively in salt water, their favorite habitats are coastal zones and shallow waters of coral atolls, but certain types can be found at depths up to 2000 m. Scorpionfish spend most of their time in complete immobility, lying on the bottom in anticipation of prey. They swim rarely and for short distances, but if necessary, they can make swift jerks. Scorpionfish lead a solitary lifestyle, according to some reports, some species are active only at night.

Echmeyer's scorpionfish (Rhinopias eschmeyeri).

Scorpionfish are ambush predators. Not only are these fish difficult to distinguish against the background of the surrounding landscape, but they also burrow into the ground in such a way that only the eyes are visible from the outside (that's why they are so bulging). The scorpionfish patiently waits in ambush for hours until the victim appears in sight, then the scorpionfish quickly opens its mouth and the victim is literally carried into it by the current. Since these fish attack small animals, they swallow their prey whole. Scorpionfish hunt for small fish, crustaceans (shrimp) and cephalopods(primarily squid). Deep-sea scorpion species and those that hunt at night detect prey due to a highly developed lateral line, which in scorpionfish has moved to the head. Thanks to this line, predators feel the vibrations of the water produced by the prey, and determine its location even in pitch darkness.

California scorpionfish (Scorpaena guttata) eating squid (Doryteuthis opalescens).

Scorpionfish lay eggs in separate portions, packed in slimy balloons. These balloons float to the surface of the water and there break up into separate eggs. Larvae hatch from floating eggs, which at first stay near the surface of the water, but having matured a little, sink into the bottom layers.

Caviar of the California scorpionfish.

In nature, scorpions have few enemies, given their excellent camouflage, low mobility and strong poisonousness. But for humans, scorpions are of twofold interest. On the one hand, these fish pose a real danger to divers, swimmers and even people just relaxing on the shore. The thing is that the skillful camouflage of scorpions does not allow you to detect fish in time, so it is very easy to prick on its thorns. Complicating the situation is that scorpions often end up washed ashore, and their spines can pierce through even light shoes. When injected, poison immediately enters the wound, which causes very severe pain. The pain increases with time and can even lead to loss of consciousness from pain shock. In addition, the components of the poison cause a decrease in pressure, swelling of the lungs and the affected limb, and numbness. Symptoms do not improve within a few days, but deaths from scorpion poisoning are rare.

Flathead Scorpenopsis (Scorpaenopsis oxycephala).

On the other hand, the Black Sea and California scorpionfish have considerable gastronomic value. Their meat is very tasty, gives excellent fat, so fish soup and fish soups are often cooked from scorpions. They catch scorpions along the way with other fish, and butcher them with gloves separately from other species. The meat freed from thorns does not pose any danger. Scorpionfish are also attractive to aquarists, although keeping them at home is not easy. When keeping scorpions, it is important to provide them with shelters in aquariums, good aeration and water filtration. They feed scorpions with small fish and crustaceans (brine shrimp), with fish of equal size, scorpions behave peacefully and get along well with their neighbors.

Scorpion is a genus of fish that belongs to the scorpion family. Latin name Scorpaena.

This fish has a large head, somewhat compressed on the sides and armed with spikes. In addition, there are leathery appendages in the form of tentacles on the head. She has a large mouth with a slanted slit. There are velvety teeth on the jaws and on the vomer.

Scales of medium size. The dorsal fin has 12-13 spiny and 9 soft rays, and the anal fin has 3 spiny and 5 soft rays. The pectoral fins have no separate rays, the lower ones are thickened. The scorpionfish lacks a swim bladder.

In the world, there are approximately 40 species of scorpions living in tropical and warm seas.


Scorpionfish are fish with a repulsive appearance.

These are rather lazy creatures, spending most of their time hiding in the sand or between stones among plants, waiting in such an ambush for prey, which become small fish. The pectoral fins help these fish to burrow into the sand and crawl along the bottom. The coloration of scorpions is quite diverse, and not only in different individuals of the same species, but even in the same fish. Altogether it is a mixture different colors- yellow, red, brown and black. Scorpions are no different large sizes and are rarely longer than 30 cm and weigh no more than 500 grams.


The Black Sea scorpionfish lives in the Black Sea, or, as it is also called, the Black Sea sea ruff, the Latin name of which is Scorpaena porcus. It was this fish that gave its name to the entire large scorpion family. In addition to the Black Sea, it can also be found in the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea along the African and European coasts. Sometimes found in the Sea of ​​Azov. It prefers to stay in the coastal zone, where it lies in wait for prey, lying on the bottom. The main menu of scorpionfish is small fish and crustaceans.


When a gaping fish or a large crustacean finds itself at a distance of 10-15 cm from the sea ruff, it makes a sharp jerk, while opening its mouth wide, and literally sucks in the prey along with the water. And in order to camouflage well in anticipation of a potential dinner, he needs such a camouflage coloration, which we described above. The scorpionfish also has a property that is extremely rare for fish - it sheds. This happens with a frequency of approximately once every 28 days. At the same time, the upper tarnished layer of the skin of the scorpion sheds off, and a new one with a brighter color appears in its place. Scorpion shed their skin just like snakes - like a cover.


The scorpionfish is able to hunt only moving objects, which the lateral line organs help it to detect, most of all development in the head area. With the help of these organs, the scorpion can catch water currents created by any moving object. Thanks to this property, the scorpionfish can successfully hunt even at night. If the caught object is not of food interest for the scorpionfish, then it spits it out. A scorpionfish defends itself from enemies with the help of its thorns, and their injection can be very painful for a person.


Scorpionfish hunt only moving prey.

Spawning by scorpions is carried out in small portions, each enclosed in a transparent mucous membrane. These peculiar balloons of mucus float to the surface of the water. By the time the larvae are ready to hatch, the balloons disintegrate and the eggs are released from the common shell. For some time, and for a very short time, the hatched juveniles stay in the water column, after which they descend to the bottom, where the scorpions continue their life. Little sea ruff is caught, mostly it comes across with other fish.

Description

Black Sea scorpionfish (from lat. Scorpaena porcus) - predatory fish living in the Mediterranean and Black Seas, as well as off the African and European coasts Atlantic Ocean. Sometimes it comes across in the Sea of ​​Azov. The second name of the fish is "Black Sea ruff". The flattened head of the scorpion occupies one third of the body. The head has crimson bulging eyes and a huge mouth with thick lips that can easily swallow a whole crab, and powerful jaws. The head is armed with spikes and long, flap-like tentacles. The whole body is covered with tubercles, warts, rays and patches of skin, with the help of which the scorpionfish disguise itself as stones overgrown with vegetation. The dorsal fin of the Black Sea ruff has spiny rays, which are always straightened and raised up in the form of spines. The size of the fish reaches 40 cm in length, and the weight is about 1.5 kg. The Black Sea scorpionfish has venom glands located at the bases of the spiny rays of the dorsal, ventral, and anal fins. There are about 20 such rays, which serve as protection against predators for the scorpion fish, on the body of the fish. Also, the poison is found on the gill covers and in the bone spikes. Scorpio has interesting feature: she sheds regularly, and she sheds her old skin like a snake, “stocking”. Shedding can occur up to two times a month. The fish has a bizarre variegated color. Juveniles are light yellow or cream colored with reddish-brown spots and uneven vertical stripes. With age, the color darkens, dark brown with wide vertical blurry stripes. Sometimes there are pink, raspberry-yellow and black scorpions.

This predator feeds on small fish and crustaceans, lying in wait for them in ambush. The scorpionfish can hunt in complete darkness, because it has organs on its head and sides that help to catch water currents from a moving object. It lives in coastal strips, among stones and thickets of algae. The fish is inactive and not shy. IN warm time year (June-September) spawning of scorpionfish occurs, laying eggs in separate portions, enclosed in transparent mucous membranes. Before the larvae hatch, these mucous sacs burst and the eggs are released from the common shell. The emerging juveniles stay in the water column for a short time, and then move on to life at the bottom. Scorpion is a nocturnal predator, so it is best to catch it after dark. Calm hours after the storm are optimal for fishing, as the fish are close to the shore in search of food.

Scorpion meat is used for food. The main thing is to be careful when cleaning this fish so as not to get hurt by its thorns. The fish has a high stickiness, therefore it is used to make jelly for jellied fish, fish soup. Ruffs can be fried, and also used as an additive when cooking fish soup from other fish, as they enhance the taste of fish broth. To keep the fish tender and juicy, dishes with liquid (gravy) should be prepared from it. Oven-baked or grilled scorpionfish become very dry. In Turkish cuisine, Black Sea scorpion fish soup is very popular and is considered a delicacy. The fish especially strongly absorbs the aromas of spicy plants growing on the rocks under which it lives: laurel, thyme and myrtle.

Composition, calories and beneficial features Black Sea scorpionfish

Despite its intimidating appearance, the scorpion is useful and is considered one of the delicious fish Black Sea. Its white, juicy and elastic meat is slightly sweet in taste. It is believed that the meat of this fish has a positive effect on the male body. Rich in macro and microelements such as chromium, zinc, fluorine, nickel, molybdenum, as well as vitamin PP (nicotinic acid). Nicotinic acid is involved in the protein and carbohydrate metabolism of the body, helps to reduce cholesterol in the blood, activates the brain and central nervous system. Due to the presence of vitamin PP, scorpionfish dishes can prevent skin disease, which develops "rough skin" - pellagra.

The Black Sea scorpion belongs to the group of lean fish, such as hake, cod, flounder, tench, containing no more than 80-90 calories per 100 g of the finished product. Therefore, the meat of such fish is safely included in a low-calorie diet.

Contraindications: be careful, poisonous scorpionfish!

The scorpion has poisonous spines. The action of the poison is not fatal, but very unpleasant - like a wasp sting. Wounds from the thorns of this fish cause burning pain, the skin around the wound turns red and swells, general malaise and fever are possible. An allergic reaction may begin, so an antihistamine (anti-allergic) drug should be taken immediately after the injection with thorns. Wounds should be treated like normal scratches. In any case, if the poison of this fish is affected, it is better to consult a doctor.

Most often, fishermen suffer from ruff thorns, pulling it out of the nets or removing it from the fishing hook. When cleaning the scorpion, care must also be taken so that the poison from the spines, bone spines and gill covers does not get into small wounds and cracks on the skin of the hands. The poison is preserved even in those fish that have had time to lie down in the refrigerator. The ruff must be decapitated and the dorsal fins removed, and only after that proceed with butchering the carcass.

There are fish in Anapa, with which it is better not to meet one on one in the sea, but it is advisable to try it fried in the resort's cafe. To such formidable representatives of the underwater flora Black Sea refers to the sea ruff or scorpionfish.

The scorpionfish lives in many southern and tropical countries where tourists like to relax. Our sea ruff is the northernmost scorpion species that lives in the Black Sea, loves coastal rocky places. The fish can be found on the High Coast, the beaches of Utrish and Sukko. The sea ruff has a reddish-brown coloration, for good camouflage in dense seaweed and rocks, and is about 15-20 centimeters in size. Lateral and dorsal poisonous fins sea ruff spreads when threatened. This species must be handled with care as you may suffer from an injection.

How to protect yourself from a scorpion sting

It is not as easy for a simple bather to step on a ruff as it might seem. Usually, when a person approaches, the scorpion swims away quickly. You need to be careful when the sea is rough and stormy, because. Ruff at this time is not so easy to notice the bathers. The main injuries occur when a person tries to get to know the Black Sea ruff. Fishermen, divers and divers who try to touch or unhook a scorpionfish stumble upon poisonous spikes.

What to do with an injection of the Black Sea ruff

If you are a victim of a scorpion stab, don't panic, no one has died from it yet. When injected, poison enters the body. The victim needs rest. The site of the wound, usually the heel or sole of the foot, should be dipped in hot water(temperature 45-50 degrees). You can take antiallergic drugs. Usually unpleasant symptoms disappear in one or two days.

How to cook ruff

Sea ruff is a delicacy, you can try it in fish. Very tasty fried fillet of sea ruff and ear.

In the Black or Azov Sea you can find very interesting fish, which has an unusual and formidable appearance, reminiscent of the real Big bulging eyes covered with outgrowths, a hefty mouth with thick lips and many sharp teeth, rays of the dorsal fin, similar to real spines. This formidable depth is called - sea ruff, or in other words, scorpionfish.

Small but formidable predator

This monster belongs to a large family of scorpion fish - marine ray-finned fish - which is part of the scorpion-like order and has more than 20 genera and 209 species. Representatives of this family live in the waters of tropical and temperate seas, but most prefer the Indo-Pacific region. The genus Scorpion itself (sea ruff is a representative of the genus), numbering 62 species, is distributed in the waters of the Pacific and Atlantic oceans and the seas belonging to their basins.

In our country, you can find two types of scorpionfish - the noticeable scorpionfish and the Black Sea scorpionfish (sea ruff). By the way, this is not the only place where this amazing fish. She was even seen in fresh water Shapsuho in the Caucasus, not to mention the Sea of ​​Azov.

Scorpion is a relatively small fish, on average its size does not exceed 15-20 cm. Rare specimens reach a length of half a meter. In its way of life, the sea ruff belongs to predators. The basis of its diet is small fish, crustaceans, invertebrates. Since the sea ruff is very difficult to notice even from close range, he does not chase his prey, but lies motionless at the bottom and waits for the victim to approach him, after which he makes a short rapid throw.

Beware, scorpions!

The view of the sea ruff is indeed very formidable. The body of the scorpionfish has an oblong shape, somewhat compressed on the sides, covered with small rough scales, and a fin consisting of a number of sharp spines. Especially impressive is the large head, covered with numerous spines and outgrowths, as well as a large wide-lipped mouth. The color of the sea ruff is rather variegated: on a brown background, the shade of which can be very different, many dark spots and stripes are scattered. The same spots and stripes are found on the fins. A feature of the scorpionfish is that it molts periodically (on average - once a month). At the same time, the upper layer of skin is shed by a stocking (like in snakes), under which there is a new one - fresher and brighter.

At the base of the spikes that cover the body of the scorpionfish, there are channels in which the deadly poison is located. But the ruff uses its poisonous spines solely for defense purposes. If a thorn is stuck in the body, poison is injected into the wound, from which the injection site swells and begins to hurt very badly, as from a wasp sting. With numerous injuries, even a fatal outcome is possible (which happens extremely rarely). In this case, it is necessary to do everything possible so that the injection site bleeds as much as possible to prevent further entry of the poison into the body, treat this place hot water and go to a medical institution, even if the pain began to gradually subside. By the way, when cleaning already caught fish, safety measures must also be observed.

Despite the menacing appearance, sea ruff, whose photo reminds of real monsters, is not just edible - its white and juicy meat is considered a real delicacy. From scorpion you can cook a lot delicious meals. Fish soup and ruff baked in foil are especially popular. Therefore, they often become a desirable prey for lovers of fishing or spearfishing, because, due to their inactivity, they allow them to swim very close to themselves.