Common name : Hawaiian turkeyfish, Turkeyfish
Scientific name : Pterois sphex
Family : Scorpaenidae
Native to : Indo-Pacific Ocean
Interesting fact : The sting of a lion fish from its venomous dorsal fins can be quite painful to humans.
Conservation status : Not Evaluated
The lion fish is a venomous, hostile and territorial fish inhabiting reefs, corals, lagoons and rocky surfaces. It has red, white, creamy or black bands, showy pectoral fins, venomous spiky dorsal fins and a unique tentacle above the eye socket. It feeds on fish and shrimp. Females release two mucus-filled egg clusters containing about 15,000 eggs. Its lifespan is 5-10 years.
