Lionfish Facts

Just about everything about the lionfish, also known as scorpion fish, dragon fish, and turkey fish – its vividly striped body, the flamboyant and long pectoral fins, and its general ornery mien – says, ‘Beware!’

The lionfish’s native habitat is the rocky crevices and reefs Indo-Pacific waters, although these days they can be found in the eastern coast of America too. It is not clear how they have found their way there, but according to some speculation it is thought that perhaps some specimens that were released by some aquariums have perhaps begun to propagate themselves in these warm waters. So, here are some interesting facts about the lionfish:

• There are several types of lionfish as they belong to a number of poisonous marine fish of the genera Pterois, Dendrochirus, Ebosia, Brachypterois, or Parapterois, of the Scorpaenidae family.
• Although the lionfish may be spectacular to look at, it is also lethal. Its fins have spines that are as sharp as needles, which they use to inject a potent venom into their predators. The lionfish is considered as one of the most poisonous fish in the world.
• However, the lionfish uses its venom as a purely defensive mechanism, when it feels threatened. As far as catching its prey is concerned, it relies on lightning swift reflexes and camouflage. A lionfish’s sting is very painful to people and can result in breathing difficulties and nausea, although it generally does not cause death.
• With their spiny rays and vivid stripes, the lionfish is one the most striking looking aquatic animals. Although when you look at them isolated from their natural habitat it may not strike you, however, their colourful exterior is what helps them to blend in well with the coral reefs where they are mostly found.
• It feeds mainly on crabs, shrimp and fish. The lionfish lies in wait for their meal to come by, and when they do, they just swallow them up whole.
• The lionfish hunts mostly during the day, and in the day time they hide in small underwater caves and under ledges.
• The largest species of lionfish can grow up to 0.4 meters, or 15 inches, in length, although on an average their length is about 0.3 meters, or 1 foot. An adult lionfish can weigh up to 1.2 kg, or 2.6 lbs. And the lifespan of the lionfish in the wild can be around 15 years, on an average.
• Although the lionfish is considered a delicacy in certain countries, however, it is prized mostly in the aquarium trade, mainly due to their spectacular looks. There are various types of lionfish available in aquarium stores such as the feathery lionfish, radial lionfish, Fu-Manchu lionfish, dwarf fussy lionfish, dwarf lionfish, and the volitan lionfish. Amongst these, the volitan lionfish is the most popular, and are the ones usually kept.
• The population of the lionfish in its natural habitat is healthy, and is in fact growing. A fact that is a cause for some concern in the United States, as some are of the opinion that the proliferation of this non-indigenous species of fish may cause environmental dangers as well as be hazardous to human beings.