This is a diverse and large order of fish that are characterized by having a plate of bone running across each cheek, but to the untrained eye this group of fishes look very different to each other. There are over 1300 species within this order of fish. In Sydney there are 5 main families of this type of fish that we see. They are very distinct and beautiful.
This Order of fish is widespread around the world and have been found 4,000 metres deep in the ocean, in the shallows, in all oceans and also in lakes and rivers. They are said to have originated some 55 million years ago.
The Order Scorpaeniformes includes several distinct families including Flatheads, Velvetfish, Prowfish, Gurnards and Scorpionfish which include some beautiful species that we see in Sydney.