These spiny, venomous fish like to hide in reefs off Alabama’s coast

Deep beneath the surface off Alabama’s coast lurks a family of fish that shares its name with a notorious desert insect. Much like their land-dwelling namesakes, scorpionfish are equipped with potent, venomous spines that serve as a formidable defensive weapon.

Masters of Camouflage

Despite their somewhat intimidating reputation, Crystal Hightower, research director for the Fisheries Research Lab and the Dauphin Island Sea Lab, finds them captivating. While some observers might label them as ugly, Hightower believes they are truly beautiful. These creatures are highly cryptic, often dwelling in deep waters far from the coastline.

Their appearance is anything but uniform, featuring mottled skin in shades of brown, gray, and red. They sport vibrant pectoral fins and a series of venomous spines running along their backs. They rely on these traits to blend into reefs and rocky seafloors, where they wait patiently to ambush prey, often swallowing targets in a single gulp. Their large eyes are specially adapted to spot movement from a distance.

Scorpionfish in Alabama Waters

The scorpionfish family is diverse, including the invasive red lionfish, which is frequently spotted in Alabama. Among the more common species are the Blackbelly rosefish and the Spinycheek scorpionfish—also known as Hemingway’s scorpionfish. These are typically found around 75 miles offshore along the Outer Continental Shelf.

These fish generally grow to between seven and 14 inches. They are so distinct that anglers participating in the annual Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo on Dauphin Island can enter them into the “most unusual” category. According to the International Game Fish Association, the record for a spotted scorpionfish—weighing in at three pounds, 14 ounces—was set off the Alabama coast in 2015 and later tied by an angler in North Carolina in 2024.

Safety First

While common in some international cuisines, scorpionfish are not a staple on Alabama menus. According to the University of Florida, Americans mostly encounter them as bycatch. While the meat is edible, it requires expert filleting to safely remove the venom glands.

If you are unfortunate enough to be stung, medical attention is the absolute priority. Hightower suggests that if you are on a boat, applying a warm cloth—using water from the outboard motor’s cooling system—may help denature proteins and provide some relief. While stings are generally not fatal for those without allergies, it is vital to remember that you may not know you are allergic until a sting occurs.

This story is part of Sea Creatures of Alabama, a series from 205focus.com exploring some of the state’s most unusual fish.