Lion Fish © Shedd Aquarium
The lionfish-also known as the turkey fish, the dragon fish, and the scorpion
fish is a venomous fish native to the Indo-Pacific waters. It lives in reefs
and rocky crevices.
The fish usually grows to 1 ft (.3 m) in length, but has been recorded to grow
up to 15 in (.4 m) in some cases. It has white and brown-red stripes across
the body, as well as large pectoral fins, which can almost be as big as the
fish's body in some cases. They deliver venom from their needle-like dorsal
fins, though it is a defensive mechanism only, as they rely on camouflage and
speed to catch shrimp and small fish.
They have recently found their way into Caribbean waters and have become an
invasive species there.
- National Geographic. "Animals: Lionfish Pterois volitans (Red Lionfish).
http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/fish/lionfish.html
