Name: Lionfish
Scientific Name: Pterois volitans
FAQ: The red lionfish is a venomous coral reef fish in the family Scorpaenidae in the order Scorpaeniformes.GROWTH: Red lionfish are clad in white stripes alternated with red, maroon, or brown. Adults can grow as large as 17 inches (43 cm) in length while juveniles may be shorter than 1 inch (2.5 cm). It has fleshy tentacles which protrude from both above the eyes and below the mouth. The pectoral fin is present in a distinctive fan-like shape, and dorsal spines are long and separated.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. 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.However, immediate emergency medical treatment is still advised, as some people are more susceptible to the venom than others.NOAA encourages everyone (divers and fishers) to be extremely cautious and avoid contact with the venomous spines 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.Lionfish are voracious predators. They do not use their spines to capture prey; only for protection from their own predators. 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.The red lionfish eat live prey and do not eat fish flakes and other processed food. However, with some effort, they can learn to accept frozen food
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