Scorpaeniform Collection

Scorpaena volitans (Pterois volitans)
Plate 184 - Naturgeschichte der ausl䮤 ischen Fische : mit sechs und dreissig Ausgemalten kupfern nach originalen (1785-95) by Marcus Elieser Bloch

LS Plate 151 from the John Reeves Collection
John Reeves, a 19th Century Tea Inspector, travelled to Canton, China in order to develop a large collection of Chinese natural history drawings

Zeus gallus and Zeus insidiator
Plate 192 Naturgeschichte der auslõ«ñischen Fische : mit sechs und dreissig Ausgemalten kupfern nach originalen (1785-95) by Marcus Elieser Bloch

Scorpaena antennata (Pterois antennata)
Plate 185 - Naturgeschichte der auslõ«ñischen Fische : mit sechs und dreissig Ausgemalten kupfern nach originalen (1785-95) by Marcus Elieser Bloch

Scorpaena horrida (Synanceia horrida)
Plate 183 - Naturgeschichte der auslõ«ñischen Fische : mit sechs und dreissig Ausgemalten kupfern nach originalen (1785-95) by Marcus Elieser Bloch

Southern pigfish, Congiopodus leucopaecilus (originally Agri
This fish specimen was collected by Ross expedition to Antarctica with HMS Erebus and Terror, 1839�. Antarctic expeditions such as Ross studied the marine life throughout the journey

Side view of upper torso tub gurnard

Aspitrgla cuculus, red gurnard
Plate 89 by William MacGillivray from his Watercolour drawings of British Animals, 1831-1841

Synanceja verrucosa, poison stonefish
Ff. 17 Vol 2. Watercolour painting by Sydney Parkinson made during Captain James Cooks first voyage to explore the southern continent 1768-1771

Scorpaena porcus, black scorpionfish
Ff. 15 Vol 2. Watercolour painting by Sydney Parkinson made during Captain James Cooks first voyage to explore the southern continent 1768-1771

Dactylopterus volitans, flying gurnard
Ff. 103 Vol 2. Unfinished watercolour painting by Sydney Parkinson made during Captain James Cooks first voyage to explore the southern continent 1768-1771

Prionotus miles, Galapagos gurnard
Fish collected by Charles Darwin in the Galapagos Islands. From his Zoology of the Voyage of the Beagle

Plate from Charles Darwins Zoology of the Voyage of the Bea
Fish from South American and Tahitian waters including Agonopsis chiloens, found by Charles Darwin in the Chiloe archipelago, off the west coast of South America

Sebastes sp. rockfish
Hand coloured etching from The Natural History of Carolina, Florida and the Bahama islands (1731) Vol. 2 by Mark Catesby

Flathead fish illustration
One of 67 original water colour drawings of Mammals, Reptiles and Fish found at King Georges Sound, Western Australia, and in its neighbourhood; accompanied by manuscript notes by Neill, Robert

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Scorpaeniform, a diverse and fascinating group of fish species, includes some truly remarkable creatures. One such example is Scorpaena volitans (Pterois volitans), commonly known as the lionfish or devil firefish. With its striking red and white stripes and venomous spines, this predatory beauty has become an invasive species in many parts of the world. Another notable member of the scorpaeniform family is Zeus gallus and Zeus insidiator, also known as the John Dory. These peculiar-looking fish have flat bodies with a distinctive dark spot on their sides resembling an eye. Their unique appearance helps them blend into their surroundings while hunting for small prey. Scorpaena antennata (Pterois antennata) is another intriguing scorpaeniform species that can be found in tropical waters. This vibrant fish boasts flamboyant colors and long spines that serve both as a defense mechanism against predators and as a means to capture unsuspecting prey. On the other end of the spectrum, we have Scorpaena horrida (Synanceia horrida), better known as the stonefish or scorpionfish. This master of camouflage hides itself among rocks or sandy bottoms, waiting patiently for its next meal to swim by before striking with lightning speed using its venomous spines. Moving away from traditional scorpionfish appearances, we encounter Southern pigfish (Congiopodus leucopaecilus). Originally classified under Agri genus but now part of LS Plate 151 from the John Reeves Collection, this side view image showcases its upper torso tub gurnard physique – truly one-of-a-kind. Aspitrgla cuculus, commonly referred to as red gurnard or sea robin, displays stunning hues ranging from deep reds to oranges. Its large pectoral fins resemble wings when spread out underwater – an impressive sight indeed. One must exercise caution when encountering Synanceja verrucosa, the poison stonefish.