Fish of the Scorpaena genus of the Scorpaenidae (scorpionfishes) family of the suborder Scorpaenoidei of the Scorpaeniformes order of the Acanthopterygii superorder.
(Madeira rockfish. Photo by © Robert A. Patzner. fishbase.org)
Madeira rockfish (Scorpaena maderensis) was first described in 1833 by the French zoologist and ichthyologist Achille Valenciennes (1794-1865).
It inhabits the depth of 20-40 meters. It prefers to swim close to the rocky bottom near the algae. The maximum recorded length is 14 cm. Specimens up to 10 cm long are more common. It feeds on small fish and crustaceans.
(Madeira rockfish. Photo by © Nicolas Bailly. fishbase.org)
It is a permanent inhabitant of the Adriatic Sea, which is more often found in its southern part. It is a rare species.
The spines of the dorsal fin contain venom, which causes severe pain when pricking, and major complications are possible. The venom disintegrates by heat treatment.
Names of Madeira rockfish (Scorpaena maderensis) in other languages as follows:
Σκορπιός Mαδέρας (Skorpios Maderas) (Greek), Rascacio de Madeira (Spanish), Scorfanetto squamoso (Italian), Madeira-Drachenkopf (German), Skorpena maderska (Polish), Bodečnjak, Bodečnjak mali (Serbian, Croatian), Rascasse de Madère (French).