(Image credit: Rudie Kuiter / Aquatic Photographics)

Striking scorpionfish relatives that are rarely seen by divers, partly because they are most active at night. Red Velvetfish are extremely well-camouflaged amongst kelp and other large algae species. The fin spines are venomous and can inflict an excruciatingly painful and long-lasting sting.

Length: Up to 46 cm

Habitat

Sheltered to moderately exposed reefs with kelp and other macroalgae; 3-30 m depth

Log it

The Red Velvet fish is more of a 'species of interest'. We don't know much about it's distribution and need more information - so please log this species if spotted west of Wilsons Promontory, Victoria!

Related links/info

Species names on the Redmap site are based on the Codes for Australian Aquatic Biota or CAAB (http://www.cmar.csiro.au/caab/). This is updated regularly and lists the approved common name, family, species name and more.

Redmap species descriptions were based, with permission, on the following resources:

Australian Marine Life: The Plants and Animals of Temperate Waters by G. J. Edgar, Revised Ed. (2008) Reed Books, Melbourne

Fishes of Australia’s Southern Coast, Edited by M. Gomon. D. Bray and R. Kuiter (2008) Reed Books, Melbourne

Find further information and images at FISHES OF AUSTRALIA http://www.fishesofaustralia.net.au/