Whats this?

Sea scorpion!
Lovely little fish, some are really outrageous check this out!
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Image taken from google images.
 
It's a Long Splined Sea Scorpion mate, a Scorpionfish is a different species again.

Not according to The Aquarium Project it's not, at least not if it is a Long Spined

Long-spined Bullhead

Just googled that and ill settle for that!

Anyone know what size these things grow too? The one i pulled out was about 8 - 10inch long, for all i know thats either a baby or a prize specimen

Difficult to tell from the picture if it is a long spined or a short spined:

Short-Spined Bullhead

2lb 7oz is the British Record for the Short Spined, caught just up the road in Whitley Bay
 
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You can tell a short spined from a long splined by the shape and appearance of the throat membrane and angular lip barbs, short splined are also slightly less common and generally smaller. Scorpionfish are recognised as a different species and are not generally found in our waters, normally around the southwest coast.

Very subtle differences, but it's no different to the confusion between, Poor Cod / Pout or Brill / Turbot or Plaice / Flounder etc etc.
Can be very difficult to tell apart at times.
 
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The clowns i've seen lifting them out of the water,and either cut the hook length off,before kicking it back in the water,or standing on the tail end whilst trying to remove the hook with pliers.For f*** sake,they are that common around our shore,you'd think people would know what they are,realise they are completely harmless,and treat them with a bit of respect.I must have un hooked dozens,for blokes who are frightened to touch them...ye gods.:(
 
ive seen them up to 1.1/2lb :o and heard they can grow bigger.

if you hold them with a towel they are harmless.

lots of times while holding them you will feel them ..buzzzz
 
The clowns i've seen lifting them out of the water,and either cut the hook length off,before kicking it back in the water,or standing on the tail end whilst trying to remove the hook with pliers.For f*** sake,they are that common around our shore,you'd think people would know what they are,realise they are completely harmless,and treat them with a bit of respect.I must have un hooked dozens,for blokes who are frightened to touch them...ye gods.:(

Woah easy there tiger. If you don't know what they are, then you don't know what they are! You say they're common to our shores, then say you've had to unhook dozens for people who didn't know what they are. I must have asked 4 or 5 people what it was and no one knew, hence asking on this fourm.
How do you realise that's somthings harmless until you're told? How did you handle the first crazy looking thing you pulled out the sea? I personally stuck my gloves on and unhooked it and put it back, but can well imagine people not wanting to touch it. For all knew It could have been a weaver fish's cousin with spikes to boot
 
Woah easy there tiger. If you don't know what they are, then you don't know what they are! You say they're common to our shores, then say you've had to unhook dozens for people who didn't know what they are. I must have asked 4 or 5 people what it was and no one knew, hence asking on this fourm.
How do you realise that's somthings harmless until you're told? How did you handle the first crazy looking thing you pulled out the sea? I personally stuck my gloves on and unhooked it and put it back, but can well imagine people not wanting to touch it. For all knew It could have been a weaver fish's cousin with spikes to boot
How do you know what it is before asking someone? I'll let you in on a little secret,there are pictures,and articles on every fish that swims,that are hidden away in things called BOOKS,and MAGAZINES,but then,i suppose that would involve reading,so.....oh never mind,just get yourself down the pier,Billy Smart's in town:confused:
 
How do you know what it is before asking someone? I'll let you in on a little secret,there are pictures,and articles on every fish that swims,that are hidden away in things called BOOKS,and MAGAZINES,but then,i suppose that would involve reading,so.....oh never mind,just get yourself down the pier,Billy Smart's in town:confused:

Ha ha! A fine attitude to have. I appreciate that there are mysterious things called books that my great great grandad rambles on about, the senile old thing so rest assured while the strange looking fish is hanging on my line slowly dying while I thumb through my Readers Digest I can feel better that I havnt upset you by asking a question, which, by the was was encouraged during my apprentiship. Best go and learn my marine life britannica to avoid this backlash in the future.
 
It looks quite large in the picture so probably a short spined as the long spined ones only grow to about 15cm or so wheras the short spined are double that.
 
Ha ha! A fine attitude to have. I appreciate that there are mysterious things called books that my great great grandad rambles on about, the senile old thing so rest assured while the strange looking fish is hanging on my line slowly dying while I thumb through my Readers Digest I can feel better that I havnt upset you by asking a question, which, by the was was encouraged during my apprentiship. Best go and learn my marine life britannica to avoid this backlash in the future.
No mate,you have'nt upset me at all,kind regards:)
 
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