Lionfish

An Indo-Pacific native genus of venomous marine fish is called Lionfish. It is distinguished by vivid warning coloration with red, white, creamy, or black bands, flashy pectoral fins, and venomous, spiky fin rays. It is also known as firefish, turkey fish, tasty fish, or butterfly-cod. The three most often investigated species in the genus are Pterois radiata, Pterois volitans, and Pterois miles. Species of Pterois are common aquarium fish. Recent and significant invasive species in the west Atlantic, Caribbean Sea, and Mediterranean Sea are P. volitans and P. miles.

Pterois are dangerous to people. Each species of juvenile lionfish has a distinct tentacle that is situated over their eye sockets. This tentacle's evolution is thought to have aided in the attraction of new prey on a constant basis. Studies also suggest that it aids in sexual selection. Pterois fish eat mostly on small fish, insects, and mollusks in vast quantities, with some specimens' stomachs having up to six different kinds of prey, according to a study that entailed the dissection of over 1,400 lionfish stomachs from Bahamian to North Carolinian waters.