Common Lionfish
Scientific name: Pterois volitans/miles
Description: Native to the Indo-pacific region, the lionfish is now an invasive species in the east coast and Caribbean. The lionfish can be identified by its zebra-like red/brown and white stripes along its entire body, as well as its many head spines, its very long sharp pectoral and dorsal fins. The lionfish likes to feed on a variety of reef fish, crabs and shrimp. The fish will corner prey, stun them and then swallow them up.
Fun Facts:
- It’s elongated fins and spines contain venom that can be fatal to humans!
- In a study on invasive lionfish, scientists found that one lionfish reduced reef fish larva by 79% over the span of only five weeks!
