[4] Scorpaenopsis oxycephalus has an elongate body which becomes compressed towards the rear with a narrow ontraorbital space.

[5] It has a very long snout and in adults there are numerous tentacles which form a beard around the mouth.

[2] This scorpionfish has mottled and variable patterning of reddish-brown marked with white patches, and frequently with a darker triangular area underneath the eye that extends back over the cheek.

[9] When in shallow waters, swimmers may accidentally tread on them which may cause painful injury from the venomous spines.

This species has unique vibrant orange colours and markings that allow it to camouflage itself well in between the rocky reefs.