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Fish4Life provides everything you need to enjoy seafood responsibly. Explore information and practical tips for safe and sustainable seafood consumption, and help protect marine life by reporting undersized or illegally traded seafood.

Slender rockfish
Scorpaena elongata
Κοκκινοσκορπίνα

Sustainability Status

Currently considered sustainable

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Good choice – Consumption of this species is currently considered sustainable

Legal

Minimum Size

–

Prohibited Consumption Period

–

Sustainable

Minimum Size

32 cm

Avoid Consumption Period

August – September

Advice for Consumption

Consumption of this species is currently considered sustainable.

Greek legislation does not establish legal minimum size and no closed season, leaving juvenile and spawning fish completely unprotected.

Choose responsibly by respecting sustainable size limits and avoiding consumption during the breeding season.

Archipelagos Tips

Choosing larger, mature fish helps reduce fishing pressure on juvenile individuals.

Common names

FR

Rascasse longue

it

Scorfano rosa

es

Gallineta rosada

tr

Pembe iskorpit

pt

Rascasso-rosado

nl

–

de

Rosa Drachenkopf

toxicity

This species is safe to consume. The dorsal spine can inflict painful sting, be careful when handling them.

iucn info

Least concern (LC)

Description

Elongated, slender body, with a spine-rich, bony head, and large eyes. Colouration is pinkish to pink-red. The pectoral fins are broad, the pelvic fins are short, and the caudal fin is rounded.

It looks like Scorpaena scrofa (Red scorpianfish). This species can be distinguished by its stockier, less elongated build. Scorpaena scrofa also has a more reddish-brown colouration with larger eyes and fleshy skin flaps. Cheek spines are less prominent.

Did you know?

Its species name, elongata, is derived from the Latin verb “elongo” (to elongate), perfectly describing its long body shape!

Ecological Aspects

Diet

Carnivorous.
Feeds on bony fish, shrimps, prawns and invertebrates.

habitat

Demersal.
Occurs in rocky areas.

Max size & depth range

Max length: 50 cm
Max weight: 1.5 kg
Depth range: 75-800 m

breeding & Growth

Gonochoristic (separate sexes). Breeding season during summer months.
Growth rate: Slow (k = 0.23 yr⁻¹).

Longevity & presence

Lifespan: 20-25 years
Max reported age: 25 years
Distribution: Found in the Eastern Atlantic, the Mediterranean Sea and from Morocco to Northern Namibia.

appearance changes

As they age, their bodies take on a more pronounced, highly arched appearance. Their skin flaps also change as they grow. Like other members of the Scorpaena genus, the slender rockfish can adjust its skin colour to blend in with its surroundings.

Reproductive Cycle

Egg count: 6,000 eggs
Reproductive frequency: Numerous times within spawning season.
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Good choice – Consumption of this species is currently considered sustainable

Illegal species – Fishing, selling and consumption of this species is illegal

Fishstocks – Declining due to overexploitation

Think before you eat – This species faces increasing pressures and should only be consumed responsibly

Bad choice – Consumption of this species is unsustainable

Health concerns –
Can accumulate dangerously high levels of toxic substances harmful to health

Alien / Invasive – This species is not from this region and can have a negative impact on the ecosystem and threaten local biodiversity, so it is sustainable to eat

Aquafarms – You will commonly find this species coming from aquafarms