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Family Scorpaenidae - Scorpionfishes

Pterois volitans - Common Lion Fish

 

An adult Lionfish hunting out in the open.

 

An adult Lionfish using its pectoral fins to hunt small fishes in coral crevices.

 

A juvenile Lionfish showing the extra long pectoral rays.

 

Distinguishing features

A medium sized fish maroon and white striped fish with extremely long rays on the dorsal, ventral, and pelvic fins. Usually seen resting in caves during the day, although they may come out to hunt in the late afternoon and early morning. Maximum size about 40cm.

Locations

Can be found underneath the Picnic Bay Jetty and on the Moltke wreck in Geoffrey Bay, and sighted occasionally in Florence Bay.

Habitat Preferences

Coral reef slopes with caves and other hiding places.

Biology & Ecology

The Lionfish is a predator on small fishes, using its large fin rays to herd small fish toward its mouth. They are usually seen resting in caves or under jetties in the daytime, so care should be taken when approaching these places. This species has recently become established along the east coast of the USA from aquarium escapees.

DANGEROUS: The dorsal spines are poisonous, so care should be taken if approaching or handling this fish.

First Aid - Spine wound:

Papers and articles

Stephen J. Vetrano, Jeffery B. Lebowitz, and Steven Marcus. 2002. Lionfish envenomation. The Journal of Emergency Medicine, Vol. 23, No. 4, pp. 379–382. .

Paula E. Whitfield, Todd Gardner, Stephen P. Vives, Matthew R. Gilligan, Walter R. Courtenay Jr., G. Carleton Ray, Jonathan A. Hare. 2002. Biological invasion of the Indo-Pacific lionfish Pterois volitans along the Atlantic coast of North America. Mar Ecol Prog Ser. Vol. 235: 289–297, 2002. .

 

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