A smaller scorpionfish of sand and rubble, with two dark blotches on the flank. Common on the soft bottoms at Blue Heron Bridge.
To about 25 cm, mottled brown and cream with two dark blotches on the flank and heavy skin flaps around the head. It is the smaller Caribbean scorpionfish, on sand and rubble rather than on hard reef, and it buries itself partially so that only the top of the head and the eyes are showing.
At Blue Heron Bridge and on similar soft bottoms it is common and it is directly underfoot, which makes it a more likely problem than the larger spotted scorpionfish that sits on rock. The venom and the first aid are the same: venomous dorsal spines, severe pain, hot water, and a doctor. A buoyancy position rather than a kneeling one removes most of the risk.
Ratings are per location: 1 means found on most dives that look for it, 5 means a handful of records. Where enough dives have been logged the figure is calculated from them; otherwise it is an editorial estimate, and says so. We publish habitat and destination, not the dive site.
