Fish Identification Photos: Bandfin Scorpionfish, Player Scorpionfish, Scorpaena histrio: The Bandfin Scorpionfish is characterized by its overall scorpionfish-like appearance, scarlet body, head and fins, and importantly the depth of its collection, as it is one of the few deep-water scorpionfish.

The Bandfin Scorpionfish does have a fairly large bulb-like head, an abundance of skin flaps, and shallow pits behind its eyes. The Bandfin Scorpionfish's most distinctive characteristic for identification purposes is the black blotch found on the lateral line above the middle of the pectoral fins (as pictured below).

The Bandfin Scorpionfish is found between 50 and 250 feet deep in the water column, in and around rocky structure. It reaches a maximum length of 10 inches. The Bandfin Scorpionfish might be confused with the Peruvian Scorpionfish, Scorpaena afuero (crimson red, no black blotch); the Rainbow Scorpionfish, Scorpaena xyris (black blotch just aft of the lower portion of the gill covers); or the Red Scorpionfish, Pontinus furcirhinus (very elongated third dorsal spine).

The Bandfin Scorpionfish is a member of the Scorpaenidae or Scorpionfish Family. It is found in most Mexican waters south of San Quintin along the Pacific side of the Baja California peninsula, in the lower two-thirds of the Sea of Cortez, and along the coast of the mainland through to Guatemala.

Note: the Bandfin Scorpionfish, like all scorpionfish, should be treated as “hazardous” and released as soon as possible, being careful not to allow its poisonous spines to penetrate the skin.

Bandfin Scorpionfish, Scorpaena histrio: Photo courtesy John Snow. Bandfin Scorpionfish, Scorpaena histrio: Caught Captain Pata in the panga Salome, La Playita, San Jose del Cabo, Baja California Sur., Mexico, in September 2004, in 200-foot deep water, utilizing 30-pound test, with a 40-pound, two dropper loop rig, with swivel, 6-ounce bank sinker, and Mustad 92553 hooks, size 2/0 on cut squid, 5 miles south of La Playita. Approximately 8 inches. Description and photo courtesy John Snow.