Scorpaenopsis neglecta

Scorpaenopsis neglecta was first formally described in 1837 by the Austrian ichthyologist Johann Jakob Heckel with the type locality given as the "Sea of East Indies".[3] The specific name neglecta means "neglected" or "overlooked", a reference Heckel did not explain, although he may have been suggesting that this species had previously been misidentified as S. nesogallica.[4]

Scorpaenopsis neglecta has a highly arched nap and front part of the body which leads to a humpback appearance. It has a wide space between the eyes.[5] There are 12 spines and 9 soft rays in its dorsal fin while its anal fin has 3 spines and 5 soft rays. There is a serrated ridge above the eye and the pterotic, lower posttemporal, and second suborbital spines are replaced by serrated ridges. The nuchal spine has 1 or 2 supplemental spines and the forward ridge of the lacrimal bone is serrated.[6] The pattern of this scorpion fish is made up of blotches and mottling coloured to camouflage it. There is a dark reddish band across the outer part of the tail just in from the margin, and there is frequently a yellowish patch on the operculum. The inner surface of the pectoral fin does not have any dark spots and has a black band across the upper rays near their tips with small dark spots where the pectoral fin joins the body.[7] This species reaches a maximum standard length of 19 cm (7.5 in).[6]

Scorpaenopsis neglecta has an Indo-West Pacific distribution, occurring as far west as India and Sri Lanka east to New Caledonia, north to southern Japan, and south to northern Australia,[1] where it is found from Shark Bay in Western Australia to Wollongong in New South Wales.[7] It is found on rock and coral reefs in shallow water,[5] as well as on sand and mud substrates, at depths down to 40 m (130 ft). It is normally a solitary species. It has venom glands in its fin spines.[6]

• Media related to Scorpaenopsis neglecta at Wikimedia Commons
• Photos of Scorpaenopsis neglecta on Sealife Collection