We’re going to look at one of the meanest fish in our waters this week. The Cabezon. I’ve known many divers, myself included, who would unwittingly swim close to one of these fish while they were sitting all camouflaged protecting their nest and it would charge as you and literally ram you.

The Cabezon, (Scorpaenichthys marmoratus), is part of the sculpin family. Although it’s genus name translates literally as "scorpion fish," true scorpionfish, i.e., the lionfish and stonefish, belong to the related family Scorpaenidae. This species is the only known member of its genus.

The Cabezon is also another scale-less fish. It usually has 11 sharp spines on the dorsal fin. It’s color varies, but is generally mottled with browns, greens and reds. (Red fish are generally males while the green ones are usually females. They have a very large head when compared to the rest of it’s body.

Cabezons can be found from Northern BC south to Southern California. They generally are found in kelp beds in the 20-50 foot range.

Although Cabezon is sometimes caught to eat as there are many recipes available to prepare them. Their roe is toxic to humans. The current largest recorded Cabezon weighed in at 23 pounds and was cause in the Juan De Fuca Straight in 1990.