Abstract
new scorpaenid fish, Scorpaenopsis iop, is described based on the 8 specimens collected from the east coast of Izu Peninsula, Pacific coast of Shikoku and Tsushima Islands, Japan. This is a reddish small-sized species, ca. 60mm standard length, and is characterized by having a head almost scaleless, but covered with numerous small papillae, broad postocular and tympanic spines, upper opercular spine bicuspid to multiple spine, a somewhat protruded eye from the dorsal contour, 17 (rarely 16) pectoral fin rays, 33-37 vertical series of scales and 4 predorsal scales.
