Scorpionfish
The Master Ambush Predator
Scorpionfish are one of the most venomous yet undetectable fish species in the sea. These ambush predators are experts at blending into their environment as they sit and wait patiently on top of the reef for unsuspecting prey to swim by. Ranging in color from dull browns and yellow to bright reds and oranges, scorpionfish perfectly match the surrounding reef and even exhibit feathery fins or skin flaps to better camouflage with neighboring coral.
Also called rockfish or stonefish, the Indian and Pacific Oceans are home to over 200 known scorpionfish species, with the highest concentration found in the warm, coral-filled waters of the Indian and South Pacific Oceans. Diving with scorpionfish is exciting; however, take caution and stay a safe distance away as their venomous spines make them one of the most poisonous animals in the ocean. Plan a dive trip to see these beautiful yet dangerous fish by exploring where they are found on the dive site map below.
Dive sites with this animal Show more on map
★★★★★ Digufaru Thila
This is a small thila 80m long and 70m wide in the middle of a channel which promises a lot of currents. Due to the current, this dive site should be dived by experienced divers only, or those who are willing to learn! Smart diving in the current’s shade required or the right place to be shown by an experienced instructor.
★★★★☆ Kinolhas Kandu
Drift dive with the current flowing from the western tip of Kinohlas along the north side towards the small Thila. Lots of fish on the top of the reef, some really nice little overhangs deeper. Experienced divers dive to the thila, beginners stay over the overhangs and slowly ascend the Sandy Slope
★★★★★ Northern Arch
Northern Arch is a renowned site that often has large pelagic species and current. The Arch is deep and bottoms out at over 36m, there is interesting structure on either side of the Arch and the Northern side of the Arch keeps sloping away down to 50m+.
★★★★★ SILVER REEF HOUSE REEF
Gentle slope reef with a lot of yellow tail Snappers, resident Green Turtles and Hawksbill turtles. Reef has strong current but a diver can hide behind huge coral bommies and hang out with fish at 5m
★★★★★ Aarah Kuda Thila
A small reef with many different types of colorful coral. The reef roof is at a height of 6m and has a diameter of approx. 20m, at a depth of 25m it should be approx. 50m. On the west side an overhang with soft corals, further deeper a gap with giant moray eels and cleaner shrimp.
★★★★☆ Magic Wall
A very colourful wall dive. A short distance from Blue Mao Mao Arch on the opposite side of the Labrid Channel and in good conditions with no current, both sites could be seen on the same dive for divers good on their gas consumption and navigation. The walls maximum depth is around 20m.