Pterois volitans (Linnaeus, 1758)

Red lionfish

Catalog of Fishes (gen., sp.) | ITIS | CoL

Classification	Actinopterygii \| Scorpaeniformes \| Scorpaenidae \| Pteroinae
Synonyms	Gasterosteus volitans, ... more
Common names	Common lionfish, Turkey fish, Lionfish, ... more

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AquaMaps Data sources: GBIF OBIS

Main reference

Myers, R.F. 1991. (Ref. 1602)
Other references | Biblio | Coordinator | Collaborators

Size / Weight / Age

Max length : 38.0 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 2334); max. reported age: 10 years (Ref. 72479)

Environment

Reef-associated; marine; depth range 2 - 55 m (Ref. 30874)

Climate / Range

Tropical; 22°C - 28°C; 43°N - 40°S, 95°E - 130°W (Ref. 55292)

Pacific Ocean: Cocos-Keeling Islands and Western Australia (Ref. 27362) in the eastern Indian Ocean to the Marquesas and Oeno (Pitcairn group), north to southern Japan and southern Korea, south to Lord Howe Island, northern New Zealand, and the Austral Islands. Replaced by the very similar Pterois miles from the Red Sea to Sumatra.
Countries | FAO areas | Ecosystems | Occurrences | Introductions

Short description

Dorsal spines (total): 13; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10 - 11; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 6 - 7. Scales cycloid (Ref. 37816). Variable in color, usually in relation to habitat. Coastal species generally darker, sometimes almost black in estuaries. Often with large tentacles above eyes (Ref. 48635).

Inhabit lagoon and seaward reefs from turbid inshore areas to depths of 50 m. Hide in unexposed places at daytime often with head down and practically immobile. Pelagic juveniles expatriate over great distances and the reason for their broad geographical range (Ref. 48635). Hunt small fishes, shrimps, and crabs at night, using its widespread pectorals trapping prey into a corner, stunning it and then swallowing it in one sweep. Dorsal spines are venomous; the sting can be treated by heating the afflicted part and application of corticoids (Ref. 5503). A popular table fish.


IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 57073)	Threat to humans
Not Evaluated	Venomous (Ref. 1602)

Human uses
Fisheries: commercial; aquarium: commercial


More information
Countries FAO areas Ecosystems Occurrences Introductions Ecology Diet Food items Food consumption Ration	Common names Synonyms Metabolism Predators Ecotoxicology Reproduction Maturity Spawning Eggs Egg development	Age/Size Growth Length-weight Length-length Length-frequencies Morphometrics Morphology Larvae Larval dynamics Recruitment	Other references Biblio Aquaculture Aquaculture profile Strains Genetics Allele frequencies Heritability Diseases Processing	Collaborators Pictures Stamps Sounds Ciguatera Speed Swim. type Gill area Otoliths Brains Vision

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Internet sources

Estimation of some characteristics with mathematical models

Resilience (Ref. 69278)

Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)


Vulnerability (Ref. 59153)	Price category (Ref. 80766)
High vulnerability (57 of 100)	High

Entered by Luna, Susan M.

Modified by Ortañez, Auda Kareen

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