New record of the Red scorpionfish, Scorpaena scrofa (Actinopterygii: Scorpaeniformes: Scorpaenidae) from deep waters off Israel, Gulf of Aqaba, Red Sea

Abstract

This study examines the distribution of the red scorpionfish, Scorpaena scrofa Linnaeus, 1758, in the Red Sea, in order to get a better picture of the distribution and dispersal of this species. The species is recorded for the first time from the Gulf of Aqaba, based on a specimen collected off Eilat, Israel at a depth of 400 m. This finding also confirms the occurrence of the species in the Red Sea and links up with a recent record from Saya de Malha Bank, western Indian Ocean.

Keywords

• biodiversity
• scorpionfishes
• new record
• Red Sea