Leaf Scorpionfish (Taenianotus triacanthus) Leaf Scorpionfish (Taenianotus triacanthus)
Order: Scorpaeniformes
Family: Scorpaenidae
Taenianotus triacanthus, the leaf scorpionfish, paperfish, paper Scorpionfish, sailfin leaffish, sailfin leaf fish, threespine scorpionfish, or swayfish, is a species of marine fish, the sole member of its genus. The leaf scorpionfish resembles a dead leaf lying in the water. To enhance this camouflage, it even makes gentle sideways movements in its pelvic area which make it resemble a drifting inert object. It is an ambush predator, waiting until suitable prey, a small fish or shrimp, approaches. Then it slowly moves with its pectoral fins close to the victim. When the leaf scorpionfish is close enough, the prey is sucked in by a sudden opening of its mouth. It eats small crustaceans, fishes, and larvae. Taenianotus triacanthus is widespread from east African coast and the Red Sea to the tropical Indo-Pacific, north to the Galapagos Islands, the Ryukyu Islands, Hawaii, and the coast of New South Wales. This species can be found in tropical waters on coral reefs, from shallow water to a depth of 130 m.