Lionfish 

For the United State Navy Submarine, see USS 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 or Scorpion Fish.1 They are notable for their extremely long and separated spines, and have a generally striped appearance, red, brown, orange, yellow, black, maroon, or white.

Contents

Native environment

The lionfish is native to the tropical Indo-Pacific region of the world, but various species can be found worldwide. Due to a recent introduction, the lionfish has recently been spotted in the warmer coral regions of the Eastern Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea.2 Lionfish are an invasive species in the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea regions. 3 Successful breeding of the lionfish in captivity has not been looked upon.

Size

There are many types of lionfish that vary in size. The common lionfish generally reaches a size of 30-35cm, while smaller lionfish, like the Fuzzy Dwarf, are typically the size of a tennis ball, not including fins.

Venom

The lionfish is one of the most venomous fish in the ocean bottom floor. Lionfish have venomous dorsal spines that are used purely for defense. When threatened, the fish often faces its attacker in a head-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 possible headaches and vomiting and breathing difficulties. A common treatment is soaking the afflicted area in hot water, as very few hospitals carry specific treatments.456 However, immediate emergency medical treatment is still advised, as some people may be more susceptible to the venom than others.

Feeding

Lionfish are voracious predators. When hunting, they corner prey using their large fins and then use their quick reflexes to swallow the prey whole. In captivity, lionfish can be trained to eat frozen brine shrimp, mysis, and krill.

References

  1. ^ Mike McEwan, "A Fierce Predator: When the Lionfish shows its aggressive looks, its no bluff", Aquaria Central
  2. ^ Whitfield, P; Gardner, T; Vives, SP; Gilligan, MR; Courtney Jr, WR; Ray, GC; Hare, JA (2003). "The Introduction and Dispersal of the Indo-Pacific Lionfish (Pterois volitans) Along the Atlantic Coast of North America". In: SF Norton (ed). Diving for Science...2003. Proceedings of the American Academy of Underwater Sciences (22nd Annual Scientific Diving Symposium), http://archive.rubicon-foundation.org/4766. Retrieved on 13 August 2008. 
  3. ^ Bruce Lambert, "A Spiny Invader Proliferates in L.I. Waters, and Scientists Wonder About Its Impact", - New York Times (September 8, 2006)
  4. ^ Aldred B, Erickson T, Lipscomb J (November 1996). "Lionfish envenomations in an urban wilderness". Wilderness Environ Med 7 (4): 291–6. PMID 11990126. 
  5. ^ Taylor, G. (2000). "Toxic fish spine injury: Lessons from 11 years experience". South Pacific Underwater Medicine Society journal 30 (1). ISSN 0813-1988. OCLC 16986801, http://archive.rubicon-foundation.org/5828. Retrieved on 13 August 2008. 
  6. ^ Vetrano SJ, Lebowitz JB, Marcus S (November 2002). "Lionfish envenomation". J Emerg Med 23 (4): 379–82. doi:10.1016/S0736-4679(02)00572-3. PMID 12480019, http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0736467902005723. Retrieved on 13 August 2008.