Object Status:
Unlocated
Accession Date:
May 30, 1794
Primary Source Reference:
Dunlap's American Daily Advertiser (Philadelphia), 30 May 1794
Additional Source Text:
"This American fish is something larger than that caught in the Mediterranean waters; the prickles about its head are said to be venomous."
Notes:
This species was most likely a member of the family Scorpaenidae (Scorpionfishes), which have many spiny projections on the head. Many scorpionfishes have poisonous tissue associated with the fin spines that can inflict painful wounds. A species that inhabits the waters of the Atlantic off the North American shore is Scorpaena calcarata, the smooth-head scorpionfish, pictured here.
Specimen Type:
Dead/preserved
Peale's Common Name:
Scorpius (sea scorpion)
Current Common Name:
Smooth-head scorpionfish
Current Scientific Name
Scorpaena calcarata
