Lionfish

Distribution: Cosmopolitan

Size Length: 30 to 38 cm

Life Span: 15 years

Diet: Carnivorous

Social life: Solitary

IUCN red list status: No status



The lionfish is a poisonous spiky fish found in the warmer waters of the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean. Lionfish are primarily red, brown and white and has a striped, zebra-like appearance. The lionfish is a predatory fish hunting small fish, but its venom is capable of being fatal to larger creatures. The lionfish catches its prey by hiding in a crevice in the rock or coral and then ambushing it as it swims past. The lionfish then corners its prey with its large fins before swallowing it whole. Lionfish have 18 venomous spines that are used defensively against predators. Although the lionfish is a solitary animal and they only really come together to mate. The female lionfish releases between 2,000 and 15,000 eggs into the water which are fertilized by the male lionfish.