SCORPAENIDAE Parascorpaena aurita, 7.4 cm SL (photo by Ukkrit Satapoomin) Parascorpaena aurita (Rüppell, 1838) Golden Scorpionfish D XII, 8-9; A III, 5; P1 17-18; P2 I, 5. Body oblong, moderately compressed. Posterior lacrimal spine directed anteriorly in adults, ventrally or anteroventraly in young. Suborbital ridge with two spines, both spines located behind orbit. Interorbital ridges well developed from middle of orbit posteriorly, joining to form a broad loop at rear of interorbit and enclosing a depression. Tympanic spines usually closer together than postocular spines. Color: body usually grayish, mottled with poorly defined blackish blotches. Size: maximum length about 15 cm SL. Distribution: widely distributed in the Indo-West Pacific, and Tanzania east to the Solomon Islands, and Taiwan south to Queensland, Australia. Remarks: common in nearshore waters on reefs and over rocky bottoms.