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Distribution: Cosmopolitan Size: 30 to 38 cm Life Span: 15 years Diet: Carnivorous Social life: Solitary IUCN red list status: No Status The lionfish is a venomous, spiny fish found in the warmer waters of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. It is primarily red, brown, and white, with a striped, zebra-like pattern. As a predatory fish, the lionfish hunts small fish, and its venom can be fatal to larger creatures. Lionfish catch prey by hiding in crevices within rocks or coral and ambushing prey as it swims by. They use their large fins to corner prey before swallowing it whole. Equipped with 18 venomous spines, lionfish primarily use these spines defensively to deter predators. Although they are solitary by nature, lionfish come together during mating. The female releases between 2000 and 15,000 eggs into the water, which are then fertilized by the male.
