Species Type:
Fishes
Common Name(s):
Red lionfish
Size:
These fish can grow up to 15 inches (38.1 centimeters) long.
Diet:
Lionfish eat shrimp, crab and small fishes.
Range & Habitat:
Lionfish, native to the Indo-Pacific region, were introduced to the Atlantic and Caribbean in the 1980s. As an invasive species, they severely threaten these ecosystems.
Details:
Lionfish have bold orange and white striping their bodies and fanned fins. Their venomous dorsal spies can inject toxins that defend against predators and cause severe pain and swelling in humans. When hunting, lionfish can use their large pectoral fins like a net to corral prey toward their mouths.