lionfish

Head on view of a Red lionfish

Pterois antennata in Schönbrunn Zoo, Vienna, Austria

Antennata Lionfish, Peleliu, Palau

A Lionfish is any of several species of venomous marine fish in the genera Pterois, Parapterois, Brachypterois, Ebosia or Dendrochirus, of the family Scorpaenidae. The lionfish is also known as the Turkey Fish, Dragon Fish, Scorpion or Fire Fish.^[1] They are notable for their extremely long and separated spines, and have a generally striped appearance, red, green, navy green, brown, orange, yellow, black, maroon, or white.

Native environment

The lionfish is not native to the tropical region of the world, but various species can be found worldwide. Due to a recent introduction, the lionfish has been spotted in the warmer coral regions of the eastern Atlantic Ocean around the Azores and extending into the Mediterranean Sea, and also in the Caribbean Seaand in the [Red Sea] .^[2] It has been speculated that this introduction may well have been caused when Hurricane Andrew destroyed an aquarium in southern Florida.^[3] DNA from captured lionfish in this region shows that they all originated from the same six or seven fish.^[4] the lion fish has a low breeding system

Size

There are many types of lionfish that vary in size. The common lionfish generally reaches a size of 30 cm to 35 cm (12 inches), while smaller lionfish, like the Fuzzy Dwarf, are typically the size of a tennis ball, not including fins. In the Caribbean where lionfish aren't native, they grow to a size of up to 55 cm. The largest Lion Fish is approx. 112 inches long and weighs 79.35 lbs.

Warnings

"Catching a lion fish" - illustration in the 1493 Nuremberg Chronicle.

NOAA encourages everyone (divers and fishers) to be extremely cautious and avoid contact with the venomous spikes of the lionfish. Usually, lionfish are not aggressive toward humans and will almost always keep their distance when given the opportunity, so they pose a relatively low risk. In addition, their stings are not deadly, but they are very painful.^[5]

Venom

The lionfish is one of the most venomous fish on the ocean floor. Lionfish have venomous dorsal spines that are used purely for defense. When threatened, the fish often faces its attacker in an upside down posture which brings its spines to bear. However, a lionfish's sting is usually not fatal to humans. If a human is envenomed, that person will experience extreme pain, and possibly headaches, vomiting, and breathing difficulties. A common treatment is soaking the afflicted area in hot water, as very few hospitals carry specific treatments.^[6][7][8] However, immediate emergency medical treatment is still advised, as some people are more susceptible to the venom than others.

Feeding

Lionfish are voracious predators. However, they do not use their spines to capture prey; only for protection. 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. In captivity, lionfish can be trained to eat frozen krill and mysis.

Predators

The lionfish have very few natural predators, but the grouper and other lionfish have been found with lionfish remains in their stomachs.

References

External links

• Life In The Fast Lane: Toxicology Conundrum #013