The red lionfish (Pterois volitans) is a venomous coral reef fish from the Indian and western Pacific Oceans. The red lionfish is also found off the east coast of the United States, and was likely first introduced off the Florida coast in the early to mid-1990s. By the summer of 2001, it was found along the Atlantic coast of the United States from Florida to Long Island, New York.
Red lionfish have distinctive red, maroon, or brown and white stripes; fleshy tentacles above the eyes and below the mouth; fan-like pectoral fin; and long separated dorsal spines. Adults can grow as large as 17 inches (43 cm), while juveniles may be as small as an inch or less. All of the spines on a lionfish are venomous, creating a danger primarily to divers and fishermen if stung. Although there have been no known fatalities caused by lionfish stings, they are reportedly extremely painful.
OTHER COMMON NAMES
English: Volitan lionfish, butterfly cod, red firefish, turkeyfish; French: Poisson volant; German: Rotfeuerfisch; Japanese: Hana-minokasago, ominokasago.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Reaches 13.8 in (35 cm) maximum length. One of the most easily recognized of all marine fishes. The most striking features of the red lionfish are its banded (reddish to black) head and body and its unique pectoral configuration. The long, flowing pectoral rays have varying degrees of connecting membranes, giving them the distinctive appearance of separate threadlike projections. The dorsal and anal fins are covered with dark rows of spots on a clear to yellowish background. All of the non-pelvic spines—these include the pectoral, anal, and dorsal spines—are venomous.
DISTRIBUTION
A wide-ranging species found throughout the Indo-Pacific region. Recently, populations of the red lionfish have become established on the Atlantic coast of the United States, presumably released by aquarium wholesalers in Florida following Hurricane Andrew in 1992. This introduced species has been collected from the Florida Keys north to North Carolina and the southern coast of Long Island, New York.
HABITAT
Usually found in lagoon and seaward reefs. Typically, it is a fairly shallow-water species, but it can be found as deep as 164 ft (50 m). They tend to hide among rocks or in caves during the day.
BEHAVIOR
The audacity of the colors of this species is a clear warning sign for its exceedingly venomous spines. This species flexes its pectoral fins quickly to charge aggressors with its extended dorsal spines.
FEEDING ECOLOGY AND DIET
This species, like most species of Pterois, is a voracious predator that feeds primarily on small fishes, shrimps, and crabs. It has been reported that it can eat as much as 8.2 times its body weight per year. Feeds primarily at night, when it uses its widespread pectoral fins to trap prey into a corner. Preyed upon by humans.
REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY
Primarily solitary, but a single male forms aggregations with females for mating. Courtship begins at twilight and is initiated by the male. Females generally produce two tubes composed of mucus and between 2,000 and 15,000 eggs. Shortly after the females release the eggs, the tubes swell with seawater and are penetrated by the male’s sperm. Fertilization proceeds, and the larvae hatch after 36–48 hours.
SIGNIFICANCE TO HUMANS
Collected in large numbers for the aquarium trade. Despite its venomous nature, the red lionfish also is harvested commercially for food.
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