Lionfish

Pterois miles

Pterois miles, the devil firefish or common lionfish, is a ray-finned fish native to the western Indo-Pacific and often mistaken for its close relative, the red lionfish. Its scientific name combines the Greek pteron, meaning wing, with the Latin miles, meaning soldier.

Family

Scorpaenidae

Avg Size

30-38 cm

Habitat

It is native to the Indian Ocean, from the Red Sea to South Africa and across to Indonesia. First recorded in the Mediterranean off Israel in 1991 after passing through the Suez Canal, it is now common in the eastern basin and has been seen as far as the Sicily channel; it has also established itself off the eastern United States and in the Caribbean, where it is treated as invasive. It closely resembles P. volitans, which is absent from the Red Sea, and tends to favour areas with crevices or lagoons, often on the outer slopes of coral reefs. Moray eels have recently been confirmed as natural predators.

Behaviour

The common lionfish is largely nocturnal, sheltering in crevices through the day and feeding on fish and small crustaceans. It has few predators, most likely thanks to its venomous spines, although larger lionfish will eat smaller ones. Moray eels show resistance to the spines and are reported to include lionfish in their diet, the bluespotted cornetfish (Fistularia commersonii) preys on it, and groupers do so in the Bahamas.

Where & When to See It

Sha'ab Sharm

Lionfish

Where & When to See It

More Fish