Taenianotus triacanthos (Leaf scorpionfish)
Strongly compressed body (variable colors), head and short snout, tall and long dorsal fin starting just behind the head. Big pectoral fins, that are used for support when lying down. They typically sway from left to right in the current, imitating the movement of a leaf. Hence the name.
Unassessed by the IUCN Red list. A fairly common species in the Indian Ocean and Indo-Pacific.
From Eastern Africa to the Hawaiian islands, North from Japan to Australia. Inhabits coral heads on reef flats, outer reef slopes, current-swept channels, in a depth range of 5-135 meters, but normally between 5-20 meters.
–
Up to 10cm.
They feed on crustaceans and small fish.
Leaf scorpionfish can shed their skin twice a month, and change color and darkness of their new skin, depending on their habitat. Like their relatives they have venomous spines.
