About Scuticaria tigrina (Lesson, 1828)
Scuticaria tigrina (Lesson, 1828) can reach a total length of around 140 cm (55 in). It has an elongated, cylindrical body with a very short tail, and its longitudinal fins are located almost entirely on the tail. The species has two rows of sharp, conical teeth that let it catch prey efficiently. Its body color ranges from yellowish brown to reddish brown, marked with round black spots that are edged with yellow. Scuticaria tigrina occurs throughout the tropical Indo-Pacific, ranging from East Africa to the Society Islands, and also includes Hawaii, the Philippines, Indonesia, Mexico, Costa Rica, and Panama within its range. It typically inhabits shallow reefs, and prefers crevices, sandy areas, or rocky areas where it can hide during the day. While divers sometimes encounter Scuticaria tigrina and it is occasionally kept in aquariums, it is not a major commercial fishery species. It is used for food in some regions, but it is mainly valued for its ecological importance.
