spotted scorpionfish
Scorpaena plumieri
Scorpionfish of shallow reefs, with venomous spines that wound anyone who handles it carelessly. It is eaten in some places and sold for aquariums in Ceará.
Also called: baetinha, briati, rascacio, spotted scorpionfish
- maximum
- 45 cm
- record/max.
- 1.6 kg
- depth
- 5–55 m
who is the spotted scorpionfish
The baetinha is a scorpionfish (family Scorpaenidae) with a robust body and a large, spiny head, reaching 45 cm and up to 1.6 kg. It lives on coral reefs and shallow rocky areas, from 5 to 55 m deep, and can reach 70 m. It rests on the bottom waiting for prey, feeding mostly on other fish and crustaceans. It has a venom gland linked to its spines. It has a small commercial fishery, is eaten in some places and is also sold for aquariums.
Essential profile. Identification, where it occurs and rules, with data from FishBase and the cited regulations. Season, time of day, technique and bait are added once we have a good source for the spotted scorpionfish; in the meantime, see the similar species.
fun facts
- It shows the white spots at the base of the pectoral fin when it feels threatened.
identification
Robust body, with the inner part of the pectoral fin base marked by large white spots on a dark background, which show when the fish is disturbed. It has spines on the head and back and a depression behind the eyes. It can be confused with the aniquim, which has dark brown spots in that same area instead of white ones.
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Each card shows the day's index (0 to 100) and, below it, a strip with the index for each hour, from 0h to 23h. from poor to excellent.
Essential profile: the index uses a general fish model (weather, sun, moon and tide), without a season or time of day specific to this species.
where found
It lives in the western Atlantic, from Massachusetts (USA) and the northern Gulf of Mexico to southern Brazil, plus Bermuda. It also occurs in the eastern Atlantic, at Ascension and Saint Helena. In Latin America it is found from Mexico to southern Brazil, throughout the Caribbean and on the northern coast of South America.
Habitat: Coral reefs and shallow rocky areas, 5 to 55 m, near the bottom.
coast
rules for the spotted scorpionfish
Summary of the regulations we found, with the source for each. Rules change; before keeping or transporting fish, check with the state environmental agency.
Conservation: Not on the Brazilian national list (Ministerial Ordinance GM/MMA No. 1.667/2026).
We found no species-specific rule beyond the region's general rules.
catch and release
catch and release Releasing the fish alive, quickly and with a wet hand. During a closed season it isn't always allowed: what the regulation says applies.
It is venomous: the spines of the dorsal fin and of the head carry venom that causes strong pain and swelling. Handle it with a glove and, if you are injured, seek medical care.
in the kitchen
It is eaten in some places, with flesh that resembles chicken, but clean it carefully because the spines are venomous.
how much it weighs without taking it out of the water
Length-weight relationship W = a·Lb (a = 0.01698, b = 2.98; FishBase (relação peso-comprimento bayesiana, estimativa da própria espécie)). It's an average: a fat or lean fish can vary by 10% to 20%.
estimated weight
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sources and references
Essential profile: size, length-weight, depth, countries and conservation come from FishBase and the cited regulations, and the texts were written from those sources. Season, time of day, sensitivities, technique and baits and lures are not included yet, because we did not find a good source for this species.
- scientific FishBase: Scorpaena plumieri (ficha da espécie)Size, length-weight, depth, habitat, distribution, biology, and IUCN status. Page checked on Oct 13, 2026.
- scientific FishBase: nomes populares de Scorpaena plumieriNames by country and language.
- official Portaria GM/MMA nº 1.667, de 27 de abril de 2026: Lista Nacional Oficial de Espécies da Fauna Ameaçadas de Extinção (peixes e invertebrados aquáticos)The species is not on the list. Checked in the DOU of April 28, 2026.
