Pterois volitans, commonly known as the red lionfish, is a fish of Indo-Pacific origin that stands out for its spectacular and dangerous appearance. This marine fish belongs to the Scorpaenidae family and is easily recognizable by its elongated and laterally compressed body, covered with alternating bands of reddish, white and brown colors that give it a very distinctive striped pattern.
Its most characteristic feature is the long and elegant pectoral and dorsal fins, which extend in a fan shape and are provided with poisonous spines. These spines are used both for defense and for capturing prey. Although its venom is not usually lethal to humans, it can cause intense pain and symptoms such as nausea, difficulty breathing and even temporary paralysis.
The Pterois volitans is a voracious predator that feeds on small fish, crustaceans and mollusks. It hunts using an ambush technique, where it moves slowly towards its prey, using its extended fins to circle it before delivering a quick and deadly attack. This predatory ability, coupled with its lack of natural enemies in certain ecosystems, has made it a problematic invasive species in areas outside its native range, such as the Caribbean and the western Atlantic.
Medium-sized, this fish can reach up to 38 centimetres in length, although it is generally found around 30 centimetres. Its behaviour is solitary and it usually inhabits areas close to coral reefs, rocky bottoms and mangroves, where it finds refuge among cracks and underwater formations.
The Pterois volitans is also a popular aquarium fish due to its exotic appearance, although its maintenance requires precautions due to its venom. In the wild, its expansion outside its original range has had a significant negative ecological impact, as it has decimated populations of native species in the new territories it has colonised, upsetting ecological balances and causing concern among conservationists and scientists.
Approximate measurements of the lionfish:
Its most characteristic feature is the long and elegant pectoral and dorsal fins, which extend in a fan shape and are provided with poisonous spines. These spines are used both for defense and for capturing prey. Although its venom is not usually lethal to humans, it can cause intense pain and symptoms such as nausea, difficulty breathing and even temporary paralysis.
The Pterois volitans is a voracious predator that feeds on small fish, crustaceans and mollusks. It hunts using an ambush technique, where it moves slowly towards its prey, using its extended fins to circle it before delivering a quick and deadly attack. This predatory ability, coupled with its lack of natural enemies in certain ecosystems, has made it a problematic invasive species in areas outside its native range, such as the Caribbean and the western Atlantic.
Medium-sized, this fish can reach up to 38 centimetres in length, although it is generally found around 30 centimetres. Its behaviour is solitary and it usually inhabits areas close to coral reefs, rocky bottoms and mangroves, where it finds refuge among cracks and underwater formations.
The Pterois volitans is also a popular aquarium fish due to its exotic appearance, although its maintenance requires precautions due to its venom. In the wild, its expansion outside its original range has had a significant negative ecological impact, as it has decimated populations of native species in the new territories it has colonised, upsetting ecological balances and causing concern among conservationists and scientists.
Approximate measurements of the lionfish:
- 1:6 Scale Complete
- Length 68 mm
- Height 59 mm
- Width 52 mm
- Snout-tail length 70 mm
