Red lion fish

Red lion fish
Pterois volitans
Max. size: 38 cm

 

Geographical distribution:
Tropical reefs of the Indian and Pacific oceans. 

 

Biology:
The true lord of the coral reefs, this fish is also known as ‘Scorpion Volitans’ (from the Latin ‘flying’) and owes its name to its magnificent wing-shaped fins. This beautiful, dangerous fish fears nothing because, it has poisonous spines along its dorsal fin which protect it from predators.
This is the most dangerous animal in the Grand Aquarium: its sting can cause serious problems such as fever, nausea and cardiac problems which can even result in death.
The red lionfish camouflages itself during the day in the shade of the corals and hunts fish and shrimps at night, using its fins to pull them in.  It can also project its mouth forward to swallow large prey.

The female red lionfish is oviparous, expelling thousands of eggs directly into the water, which the male then fertilises.  The larvae are born after a few days and grow to become young fish in open water.

 

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