Scorpionfishes are named for the venomous fin spines found on many of these species. The most dangerous of them is the stonefish, which has caused fatalities from wounding humans with its spines. Fortunately, stonefishes (or nohu in Tahitian) do not patrol Hawaiian waters, although people have mistakenly called the larger Hawaiian species stonefishes. Researchers believe early Tahitian immigrants applied the name to the large Hawaiian scorpionfishes after failing to find the stonefish in Hawaiian waters. Next up in terms of venom strength in Hawaiian scorpionfishes are lionfishes and turkeyfishes.
The devil scorpionfish presents venomous spines down their backs and colorful pectoral fins to warn others of danger. Their yellow and orange arched stripes and black spots show when they scurry away across the ocean floor or over coral reefs where they will sit and wait to ambush their prey. Devil scorpionfishes usually feed at dusk or during the night and love to feast on small fish and crustaceans that unknowingly venture too close.
Did you know?
The devil scorpionfish and others in the family are known for their camouflage, and some display fleshy flaps and small tentacles on their body and head.
Stay safe when snorkeling or diving by avoiding touching the reef and never sticking your hands into crevasses where these fish or other potentially harmful sea creatures may be hiding. A sting from scorpionfish in Hawaiʻi is very rare, but so is seeing one. Keep a vigilant eye while exploring underwater, and you may get lucky enough to witness this ambush predator waiting on a rock or coral or even scooting along a sandy seafloor.
*Due to the constant rotation of animals back to the ocean, we cannot guarantee the presence of any specific animal.
Discover More Maui Ocean Center marine life
Sandbar Shark
Found in all oceans of the world, sandbar sharks are most common in deep coastal waters. This species has been documented in intertidal areas down to about 900 feet in depth. The sandbar shark is light gray or tan in coloration with white on its ventral side. Lacking distinct markings, its tall dorsal fin is a distinguishing characteristic. The maximum length recorded for a sandbar in Hawai‘i is 6.4 feet, while the average is 5 feet.
Devil Scorpionfish
The devil scorpionfish presents venomous spines down their backs and colorful pectoral fins to warn others of danger. Their yellow and orange arched stripes and black spots show when they scurry away across the ocean floor or over coral reefs where they will sit and wait to ambush their prey. Devil scorpionfishes usually feed at dusk or during the night and love to feast on small fish and crustaceans that unknowingly venture too close.
Sea Urchin
Frequently observed by snorkelers and divers, sea urchins are abundant in the Hawaiian Islands. These echinoderms are closely related to sea stars and sea cucumbers and use tube feet that extend through their pores to help cling and move along surfaces. They are characterized by a globular or flattened skeleton, called a test, and have hundreds of moveable spines, tube feet, and tiny pincer-like organs called pedicellariae.
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