CLASSIFICATION OF PTEROIS : SCORPION FISH
Phylum :- CHORDATA ( Notochord and dorsal tubular nerve cord present and gill-slits present).
Group :- CRANIATA ( Cranium with brain present ).
Subphylum :- VERTEBRATA (Vertebral column present ).
Division :- GNATHOSTOMATA ( Jaws and paired appendages present ).
Super class :- PISCES (Paired fins , gills and skin with scales)
Class :- OSTEICHTHYES ( Bony fishes ).
SUB-CLASS :- ACTINOPTYERGII ( Ray finned fish ).
SUPER ORDER :- TELEOISTEI ( Bony fish proper).
Order :- SCORPAENIFORMES (Sub-orbital extends across the cheek to the pre-operculum).
GENUS :- Pterois
GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION
Pterois is widely distributed in all tropical and temperate seas
HABIT AND HABITAT
Pterois is a marine, viviparous, carnivorous, sluggish fish. It easily adopts the surrounding colour. Sometimes the skinny appendages resemble the fronds of seaweeds.
GENERAL CHARACTERSTICS OF PTEROIS : SCORPION FISH
- Commonly called as scorpion fish or ‘mail-checked’ fish or Lion Fish.
- Body oblong, more or less compressed, elongated, covered with scales and divided into head, trunk and tail.
- Head is spiny, containing large eyes, nostrils, mouth and is provided with membranous processes and spines.
- Dorsal fin contains 11 to 17 spines and 8 to 18 soft rays, ventral fin 1 spine and 2 to 8 soft rays, anal fin 1 to 3 spines and 2 to 5 soft rays, and well-developed pectoral fin has 15 to 25 rays.
- Air bladder physoclistic and gills pseudobranchiat.
- Spiracles absent.
- Skeleton is ossified.
SPECIAL FEATURE
Pterois is dangerous. If attacked, using its sharp, grooved and dorsal spines like hypodermic needles, it injects stinging and paralyzing venom. Spines inflict serious and painful wounds. Dorsal, anal and pelvic spines contain venom glands
IDENTIFICATION
This fish has spiny dorsal fin and above features, hence it is Pterois.
REFERENCES
- https://www.britannica.com/animal/scorpion-fish
- Book of Practical Zoology VERTEBRATE by S.S.LAL – Rastogi Publications.
- SOURCES OF IMAGES – PIXABAY
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