New records and underwater observation of the rare fish Scorpaenodes arenai (Osteichthyes: Scorpaenidae) from the central and western Mediterranean Sea

Abstract New records of the rare Messina rockfish Scorpaenodes arenai (Osteichthyes: Scorpaenidae) stranded on the Sicilian coast of the Strait of Messina (central Mediterranean Sea) are reported. Morphometric and meristic characters are given together with information on age data. The first underwater observations by remotely operated vehicle (ROV) in different Mediterranean areas contribute to improve current knowledge on distribution, behavior and habitat preference of this species.