Lion Fish
by Krysta CardinaleThe Lionfish is also known as the Turkey, Dragon, or Scorpion Fish. It is famous for using its stinging spines and fins that are poisonous. They are aggressive predators that corner in their prey before stunning them with their spines, and then swallowing them whole. There are several types of this species including the dwarf, red, and black lionfish.
Lion fish are generally slow swimmers. They are capable of very quick movements over several inches to attack their prey. This type of fish assumes a fanned-out position when a predator approaches. Their spines are erect and will inject venom into anything threatening that comes too close. This species is typically seen traveling in pairs. They are known for their extremely long and separated spines. They have a striped pattern on a white background. These fishes have elongated dorsal fin spines and enlarged pectoral fins, and each species has a particular pattern of zebra like stripes. The stripes can be red, brown, or black. Information about Lionfish reveals that they are a very healthy species of fish, and have a very high resistance for diseases.
Information about Lion fish should be studied before putting them in a home aquarium. They need to be handled very carefully. This is due to several reasons. A person that gets punctured by a spine should seek medical attention immediately. A strong pain and rapid swelling affects the particular area of the body. The difficulty in moving one’s limbs can also occur. These stings can cause difficulty in breathing, nausea, convulsions, and paralysis. Death has been known to occur if the puncture is not treated. Gangrene can also develop from a sting that is left untreated. However, most people do survive though suffering great amounts of pain. The spines of Lionfish remain active for days, so one should be careful when discarding them.
Information about Lionfish’s Habitat
This species of fish are typically found in warmer tropical waters. They can be found in the Indo-Pacific area specifically, but different types can be found worldwide. Information about Lion fish reveals they enjoy rock habitats with a lot of fish and plants for example coral reefs. They find comfort in places that have a lot of holes, rocks, and caverns to hide in.
Types of Lion fish
• Red Lionfish- It is found in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. They are typically coral reef fish. They are also found off the east coast of the United States, particularly in Florida. The Red Lion fish has distinctive red and maroon stripes on a white body. Red Lion fish can grow up to 17 inches as adults.
• Black Lionfish- It is located in warm tropical waters. The Black Lion fish is black and white striped, and its spikes and fins are generally solid black with perhaps faint white stripes.
• Freshwater Lionfish- It is actually a Toadfish. The natural beauty of this fish makes it popular for aquariums and fish tanks. The freshwater lion fish is completely harmless and not poisonous at all. It does have spines, but they don’t cause anymore but slight pain just from bumping against their sharpness. A freshwater lionfish can usually be found in Australia, Thailand, and Papua New Guinea. Freshwater Lion fish typically feed on feeder fish or other small fish that they can swallow whole.
• Dwarf Lionfish- It is similar to both the red and black lionfish in appearance but all of its features are smaller. This fish only grows to be 15 centimeters long. It ranges in colors from red to brown. The Dwarf Lion fish has spikes that are the same length as the depth or width of its body. Besides its size, this fish varies from the larger black and red species because it has spotted bands crossing its back fins. The Dwarf Lionfish can be found in the Indo-Pacific waters. In Australia it is found on coastal reefs and in estuaries from south-western Australia around the tropical north, and south to southern New South Wales.
