The small red scorpionfish (Scorpaena notata) is a species of scorpionfish found in the eastern Atlantic Ocean, the Mediterranean Sea and the Black Sea. First described by Constantine Samuel Rafinesque in 1810, it typically grows to a length of around 15 cm (6 in), although individuals can reach 20 cm (8 in). It is typically reddish-brown, with a distinctive black spot on the spiny dorsal fin. A benthic predator, it rests on rocky seabeds and feeds on small fishes, crustaceans and other invertebrates. The species has venomous fin spines and is assessed as a least-concern species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. This small red scorpionfish was photographed in the Mediterranean off the coast of Catania, Sicily.

Photograph credit: Diego Delso