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Pterois volitans
This Juvenile, less than 4 cm in body size is simply gorgeous with its flowing pectoral fins looking like wings. The pectoral fins are transparent and in between each spines, it has red/orangish spots/circles. Red lionfish are clad in white stripes alternated with red/maroon/brown stripes. Adults in this species can grow as large as 47 cm (18.5 in) in length, making it one of the largest species of lionfish in the ocean, while juveniles are typically shorter than 1 inch (2.5 cm). The average red lionfish lives around 10 years. As with many species within the Scopaenidae family, it has large, venomous spines that protrude from the body, similar to a mane, giving it the common name lionfish. The venomous spines make the fish inedible or deter most potential predators.
P. volitans is native to the Indo-Pacific region,[4] including the western and central Pacific and off the coast of western Australia. However, the species has been accidentally introduced into the Western Atlantic and has become an invasive species there and has become common in the North Gulf of Mexico as well.
6 Comments
Yes Mark, I am aware of that.
Two species of Lionfishes were accidently introduced to the Carribean waters, probably unintentionally and this has caused havoc to the marine eco-system as they don't have predators and are voracious feeders, practically cleaning up most of the local reef fishes.
To help reduce their numbers, locals were encouraged to catch them and now to eat them. I have also seen documentaries and read articles whereby there were researches done to 'teach' the sharks to feed on them as in this article :
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/articl...
Did you know people are eating them in the Carribbean now? (carefully :) )
Thanks, @Mark.
I made a mistsake of not taking a picture to show the reference of how small this juvenile is. With macro shot, it just looks like a regular sized fish :(
Good to see a juvenile. Thanks.
Thanks, @JaniekevanDijk
Awesome shot!