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UNDERWATER GUIDE TO MARINE LIFE 



and flushed with red. It ranges from Cape Mendocino south to Cedros Island. 

 The Spanish flag, Sehastodes ruhrovinctus, is very handsome with alternate 

 vertical bands of red and rosy white. It is most common in southern California 

 and ranges from Monterey to San Diego. It grows to 15 inches and keeps to 

 moderately deep water. 



treefish: Sehastodes serricefs 



Size: Up to 1 foot. 



Distribution: Point Reyes to Cedros Island. 



Identification: The body is stout and the head blunt and noticeably spiny. 

 This species has an olivaceous body, becoming blackish above and yellowish 

 below, with seven vertical black bands. 



Habits: Like those of the priestfish. This fish has been observed to rest in holes 

 in rocks with its belly up against the top of the hole. 



Similar S-pecies: The black and vellow rockfish, Sebastodes chrysomelas, is 

 another small, heavy species which ranges from San Diego to Puget Sound. It has 

 yeljow and orange blotches on its dark brown body. 



SCORPION FISH (lionfish): Scorpaena grandicornis— Color Plate 3 



Size: Common at about 8 inches. Up to about 1 foot. 



Distribution: West Indies to Florida. Straggles to Maine. 



Identification: The head is very spiny and shaggy with fleshy protuberances. 

 The dorsal spines are sharp and strong, and the first few of them are hollow 

 and act like hypodermic needles. The poison glands are at the bases of the spines. 

 The coloration is brownish to gray, mottled with many other colors, principally 

 reds and yellows to form a concealing coloration. The color is rapidly adjusted 

 to match the surroundings. 



Habits: The concealing coloration and sluggish habits make this a difficult 

 fish to spot. The danger of the spines has already been discussed. This is a 

 voracious fish depending on ambush to get its small fish prey. It has been found 

 with demoiselles in its stomach. It lies in rocks and reefs and, in the summer 



