Red Lionfish (Pterois volitans) are beautiful looking tropical fish. Don’t be lured in by their attractive appearance though, these striking stripes and long fins are a warning sign to stay away because they’re extremely dangerous.
Their spikey fins are extremely venomous, and used to inject their predators to keep them at bay. Predators would include larger fish and some shark species.
They can be found in reefs and rocky crevices of the Indo-Pacific, lurking with their spines proud to keep them protected. They are so successful at protecting themselves in fact that they have made their way across most of the warmer water oceans across the World and are thriving in the wild. As their numbers continue to increase they may affect the balance of the ocean’s eco-system for the future so they are being well observed by conservationists.
Type
Fish
What do they eat?
Small fish and invertebrates
Size
30cm
Water Type
Tropical Salt
Where are we?
Indo-Pacific