Rockfish
Scorpaena scrofa
Sighting evidence at B-17 Flying Fortress, Istria
Photo: luismartinezartola · CC BY-NC
Scorpaena scrofa, the large-scaled scorpionfish, is a textbook ambush predator perfectly adapted to sedentary life on complex structure. Heavily camouflaged individuals rest motionless on the B-17's corroding aluminium panels, waiting for passing prey. Their venomous dorsal spines make them one of the few genuinely dangerous encounters on an Istrian dive — experienced guides always point them out before divers swim close.
Evidence at this site
No confirmed records on file at this site
Rockfish is listed as a curated species here based on historical reports.