Parallel-spine Scorpionfish, Neomerinthe parallelaspina Matsumoto & Motomura 2024

Summary:

Preserved coloration: body and pectoral fins pale yellowish, with indistinct blotches above the lateral line.

Cite this page as:

Bray, D.J. 2026, Neomerinthe parallelaspina in Fishes of Australia, accessed 19 Jul 2026, https://fishesofaustralia.net.au/home/species/5791

Parallel-spine Scorpionfish, Neomerinthe parallelaspina Matsumoto & Motomura 2024

More Info

Distribution	Off North West Cape, Western Australia, to the Northern Territory..
Features	Dorsal fin XII, 9; Pectoral fin 19-20;; Longitudinal scale rows 40-45; pored Lateral line, pored scales 23-25; Scale rows above lateral line 4-6, below lateral line 9-11, between 6th dorsal-fin spine base and lateral line 5-6, between last dorsal-fin spine base and lateral line 4-6; Gill rakers 4-6 + 10-15 = 15-20; Suborbital spines 3. Body depth 29.5-36.4 % SL; longitudinal ridge on lateral surface of maxilla absent; lateral lacrimal spine present; 2nd preopercular spine present; 4th preopercular spine large, directed parallel to 3rd preopercular spine; 3rd preopercular spine length 2.3-6.1 % HL; 4th preopercular spine length 1.4-4.7 % HL: upper posttemporal spine absent; minute slit behind last gill arch. Many small cycloid scales on base of pectoral fin and ventral surface of body from isthmus to beyond pelvic fin. Posterior margin of soft-rayed portion of dorsal-fin rounded; fin membrane between last dorsal-fin soft ray and caudal peduncle absent; 2nd dorsal-fin ray length 18.0-21.3 % SL; 3rd dorsal-fin ray length 17.7-22.4 % SL; 4th dorsal-fin ray length 18.3-22.6 % SL; 5th dorsal-fin ray length 16.8-21.7 % SL.
Etymology	The specific name parallelaspina is from Latin parallela (= parallel) and spina (= spine), in reference to the orientation of the 3rd and 4th preopercular spines.
Species Citation	Neomerinthe parallelaspina Matsumoto & Motomura 2024, Ichthyological Research 72(1):10, Figs. 5, 6, 7b. Type locality: West of North West Cape, Western Australia, Australia, 21°41'36"S, 113°56'74"E, depth 207 metres.
Author	Bray, D.J. 2026

Parallel-spine Scorpionfish, Neomerinthe parallelaspina Matsumoto & Motomura 2024

References

Matsumoto, T. & Motomura, H. 2025. Two new species of the scorpionfish genus Neomerinthe Fowler 1935 (Teleostei: Scorpaenidae) from northwestern Australia. Ichthyological Research 72(1): 130-145 https://doi.org/10.1007/s10228-024-00975-z