Purple Weedy Scorpionfish (Rhinopias Frondosa)

Species Name : Rhinopias Frondosa

Care Level : Intermediate

Temperament : Semi-aggressive

Color : Purple, Yellow, Brown, Green, Black, Pink

Diet : Carnivore

Reef Compatible : With Caution

Water Conditions : sg 1.020-1.025, 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4

Max. Size : 9.1 inches

Origin : Indo-West Pacific

Family : Scorpaenidae

Minimum Tank Size : 50 gallons

Rhinopias Frondosa, the Weedy Scorpionfish or the Weed Fish, is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Scorpaenidae, the scorpionfishes. 

Rhinopias Frondosa have deep laterally compressed bodies with a distinctive head shape and high-set eyes. The mouth is are upturned. The snout is covered with tentacles. The body is covered with numerous skin flaps in a maze-like pattern. The flap colors can be in an array of colors from yellow to brown, green to black, pink, and purple. This elaborate design makes the weedy scorpionfish one of the most beautiful representatives of the scorpionfish family. This species attains a maximum known total length of 23 cm (9.1 in). This fish is venomous like many scorpionfish so be careful.

Rhinopias Frondosa adapt easily to captivity, and because they are relatively inactive, they can be kept in small aquariums of at least 50 gallons. Since they are ambush predators they do not need a lot of swimming space but instead places to hide or utilize their camouflage. Being poor swimmers they tend to either make short hops across the bottom or crawl on their pelvic fins rather than swimming. They will usually wedge themselves into a strategic position using their pelvic fins and sit and wait for their prey.

Tankmates must be peaceful so as not to nip its large fins, and large enough not to be eaten. These fish are generally safe in reef aquariums as they do not eat corals or polyps, but take extra care to know where the fish is located as they may blend in very well with the rocks and corals. Do not keep these fish with shrimp, crabs or fish small enough to be eaten.

These fish are voracious predators. Rhinopias Frondosa can be fed a variety of frozen and prepared meaty foods like shrimp, clams, scallops, krill and other similar foods, but some may need live food like small feeder fish or ghost shrimp to trigger a feeding response. Because these are sedentary fish, their metabolism is quite low and three or four feedings per week should suffice nicely.