Red lionfish

Pterois volitans

The red lionfish is a venomous coral reef fish in the family Scorpaenidae, order Scorpaeniformes. "P. volitans" is natively found in the Indo-Pacific region, but has become a huge invasive problem in the Caribbean Sea and along the East coast of the United States along with a similar species, "Pterois miles".
The Red Lionfish We had 2 of these beautiful but poisonous fish coming to the shallows for us to get some great views of. This photograph was taken from land. Birdinindonesia,Geotagged,Indonesia,Mehd Halaouate,Papua,Pterois volitans,Raja Ampat,Red lionfish

Appearance

The red lionfish is part of the family Scorpaenidae, order Scorpaeniformes, and suborder Pteroidae.

Lionfish have distinctive red, maroon, and white vertical stripes. Fleshy tentacles protrude from above the eyes and below the mouth. The fish have fan-like pectoral fins with venomous spines, 13 long separated dorsal spines, and 3 anal spines.

Lionfish larvae are planktonic, and adults can be as large as 17 inches in length.

The most distinguishable characteristic of the red lionfish, as well as all scorpionfishes, are the venomous spines protruding from the body.
The star hunting Dahab canyon. Pterois volitans,Red Sea,Red lionfish

Distribution

"P. volitans" occurs natively in the Indo-Pacific region, including the Western and Central Pacific and off the coast of Western Australia.
Lionfish - Pterois volitans Geotagged,Lionfish,Mozambique,Ponta do Ouro,Pterois volitans,Red lionfish,Summer

Status

As the fish become more abundant, they are becoming a threat to the fragile ecosystems that they have invaded. Between outcompeting similar fish and having a large diet, the lionfish is drastically changing and disrupting the food chains that hold the marine ecosystems together. As these chains are distrupted, we continue to see declining densities of other fish populations, as well as a decline in the overall diversity of coral reef areas.
Juvenile Red Lionfish - Pterois volitans This is the Juvenile phase of Red Lionfish - Pterois volitans. Geotagged,Lionfish,Philippines,Pterois volitans,Red lionfish,Winter,cebu,moal-boal

Behavior

The lionfish themselves are voracious feeders and have outcompeted and filled the niche of the overfished snapper and grouper. When hunting, they corner prey using their large fins and then use their quick reflexes to swallow the prey whole.

They hunt primarily from late afternoon to dawn. High rates of prey consumption, a wide variety of diet, and increasing abundance of the fish lead to concern that the fish may have a very active role in the already declining trend of fish densities.
Lionfish, Turneffe Island Atoll, Belize Belize,CCFS,Calabash Caye Field Station,ERI,Environmental Research Institute,Pterois volitans,Red lionfish,Turneffe,Turneffe Island Atoll

Habitat

Lionfish generally inhabit rocky and coral reef areas, and can be found at depths between 1 metre in shallow mangroves and 131.5 metres. They are most often found under ledges or in shaded cave areas, in an almost motionless state. As they become more abundant, there have been claims of the fish also being found in bays and estuaries.
Pterois Geotagged,Israel,Pterois volitans,Red lionfish

Reproduction

They are mainly a solitary species and courting is the only time when aggregate, generally 1 male with several females.

Both "P. volitans" and "P. miles" are gonochoristic, only showing sexual dimorphism during reproduction. Similar courtship behaviors are observed in all "Pterois" species. These behaviors include circling, sidewinding, following, and leading.

The lionfish are mostly nocturnal, leading to the behaviors typically around nightfall and continuing through the night. After courtship the female releases two egg masses that are fertilized by the male before floating to the surface. The eggs are kept together by a mucus which disintegrates within a few days to release larvae. Data collected suggests that lionfish can reproduce monthly, through all seasons of the year.
Red Lionfish - Pterois volitans Fish,Lionfish,Maldives,Pterois volitans,Red Lionfish

Predators

There has been very little documentation of any true predators of the lionfish. It has been suggested that larger fish and sharks that should be able to eat the lionfish have not recognized the lionfish as prey due to the novelty of the fish in the invaded areas.

Lionfish have, however, infrequently been found in the stomachs of grouper.
Lionfish Belize,CCFS,Calabash Caye Field Station,ERI,Environmental Research Institute,Pterois volitans,Red lionfish,Turneffe,Turneffe Island Atoll

Defense

An extremely showy and ornate fish such as the lionfish should be an easy target for predators, but the large spines act as a great defense. The spines are incorporated into certain fins of the fish, and have venom glands at the base of the spine. These glands protect the fish from predation, delivering a painful and potentially fatal venomous “sting” to predators or a human that may come in contact with a lionfish.
Feeling blue A Red Lionfish being lit by blue lighting at Aquatopia, Antwerp. A magical scene that I could spend watching for quite a while. Antwerpen,Aquatopia,Pterois volitans,Red lionfish

Evolution

Although little is known about the larval stage of the lionfish, some traits of the larvae include a large head, a long, triangular snout, long, serrated head spines, a larve pelvic spine, and coloration only in the pelvic fins. Larvae hatch 36 hours after fertilization. The larvae are good swimmers and can eat small ciliates just 4 days after conception. The larval stage is the shortest stage of the lionfish’s life, with a duration of about one month.

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