Rhinopias Scorpionfish

Photo: Ryan E. Gray · CC BY-NC

Rhinopias scorpionfish are the holy grail of Ambon Bay muck diving — strikingly colored ambush predators in pink, purple, yellow, or red that sit motionlessly on rubble or sponge and wait for prey to walk into range of their enormous mouths. Unlike typical scorpionfish, Rhinopias often position themselves in exposed locations and rely entirely on their psychedelic coloration — which matches various sponges and tunicates — to avoid detection rather than concealment in crevices. Their rarity and dramatic appearance make a Rhinopias sighting one of the most celebrated events in critter diving, and Ambon Bay is the most reliable location on the planet to find them.