Leaf Scorpionfish

A small compressed scorpionfish with a high long-based dorsal fin, skin coved in prickly papillae and fine appendages around the mouth. The Leaf Scorpionfish is variable colour and ranges from whitish, to greenish, pink, and yellow to brown with lighter or darker mottling.

Leaf Scorpionfish are ambush predators and often rock back and forth with the current or tide, resembling leaves or drifting seaweed. They regularly moult their skin to remove algae and invertebrates that grow on their sides, and can change colour after moulting. A sting from the venomous spines may be quite painful.