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Table of Contents
Lionfish is a marine species that is striped with brown, red or maroon, and white color and is characterized by sharp and venomous spines. Lionfish is a food source and a popular aquarium fish. However, they are also known as invasive species that may potentially harm reef ecosystems.
See the fact file below for more information on the Lionfish, or you can download our 27-page Lionfish worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.
Key Facts & Information
THE LIONFISH
- Lionfish are also known as zebrafish, turkey fish, red lionfish, butterfly cod, ornate butterfly-cod, peacock, red firefish, scorpion volitans, and devil firefish.
- Its scientific name is Pterois volitans (red lionfish) and Pterois miles (devil firefish). The genus name Pterois comes from the ancient Greek word for “feathered” or “winged.”
- The species name volitans is a Latin word for “flying” or “hovering,” and miles is a Latin for “soldiering.”
- An adult lionfish can grow about 18 inches long. It is easy to identify by its white, brown, red, or maroon stripes.
- Lionfish also have numerous spikes which are venomous. These spikes give them a striking appearance and are the primary reason they are aquarium species.
- Lionfish usually have thick bodies and short tails.
- Lionfish have fan-like pectoral fins and fleshy tentacles above their eyes and below their mouth.
- Lionfish are considered an invasive species because they pose potential harm to the marine ecosystem.
- Lionfish are a top predator in the ocean. They eat fish and threaten beneficial species like the algae-eating parrotfish.
- Lionfish have no identified predators, so their population continues to grow.
LIONFISH REPRODUCTION
- The lionfish population is not under threat because this species has no known predators.
- The lionfish reaches its sexual maturity at one to two years old.
- In their period of courtship, the male fish gather with the female fish. The males aggressively display their spines and fins.
- Female fish then release mucus-coated clusters of eggs.
- A female lionfish, once it reaches its sexual maturity, can release between 10,000 to 30,000 unfertilized eggs.
- It can release unfertilized eggs every four days all year round, reaching approximately two million eggs a year.
- However, it is believed that it only fertilizes the eggs three to four months a year in cold water.
- These egg sacs contain a chemical deterrent that discourages other fish from eating them.
- The egg sacs and larvae are spread through currents in the ocean.
- After 36 hours, the eggs hatch into larvae. They are able to swim two to three days later.
- A lionfish baby is called a fry.
- When juveniles are ten months old, they live in small groups and stay in one area, although they can live in a wider habitat.
- Once the lionfish becomes an adult, it usually swims alone. This is the reason they can migrate easily.
- The lifespan of a lionfish can last up to 15 years.
LIONFISH BEHAVIOR
- Because lionfish have been found with full stomachs during the day, it was concluded that they hunt at night.
- They move slowly, allowing the soft rays of their dorsal and anal fins to move in waves.
- In their range in the Atlantic, they can be spotted during the day, so they are also perceived as diurnal (mainly active during the day).
- They spend their time in territories that they defend from intruders.
- Lionfish use their pectoral fins to warn predators away. They also use these to attract their prey.
- A lionfish can eat almost anything that fits into its mouth. Lionfish were also reported to eat prey that is 50% bigger than them.
- Their stomachs can stretch up to 30 times their normal volume.
- This poses risks to the population of other marine resources even to their own kind because lionfish can resort to cannibalism once their food is scarce.
LIONFISH ANATOMY AND VENOM
- The lionfish has spines that are venomous. These protect the lionfish from invaders.
- They also have very long pectoral and dorsal fins. The anterior dorsal fins are venomous, while the posterior dorsal fins are not.
- The pelvic fins are also venomous. Lionfish also have non-venomous caudal fins and anal fins.
- Their fins are spines primarily used to protect themselves from predators which are what they also use to attract prey.
- These spines and fins are visually striking in order to attract female lionfish during their mating season.
- Tentacles, which vary in size, can be seen above both eyes. In juvenile lionfish, the tentacles are long whereas, in adults, they are leaf-like.
- Lionfish are known for their striking stripes, but these contrasting colors help them camouflage to catch their prey.
- Lionfish can remain motionless and blend in with rocks or corals, and these allow them to hide from their predators and prey.
- The spines contain glands that release venom, which causes extreme pain, sweating, respiratory distress, and even paralysis. Despite these possible effects, there have been no recorded deaths caused by a lionfish sting.
- Venom is made up of protein, a neurotransmitter, and a neuromuscular toxin.
- If someone is stung by a lionfish, it is best to remove any broken spines then pour non-scalding hot water on the affected area for 30 to 60 minutes.
- It is also important to monitor the victim for any signs of shock or allergic reaction and, if possible, seek immediate medical help.
LIONFISH DISTRIBUTION
- Lionfish are abundant in many parts of the world. In some places, they are considered pests because of their invasive characteristics.
- A large range of their population can be found in western Australia, Malaysia, French Polynesia, United Kingdom’s Pitcairn Islands, north to southern Japan, southern Korea, and many more.
- In the Western Atlantic and Caribbean, they are now considered pests.
- Lionfish are usually found in shallow coral reefs. Occasionally, they can also be found in deeper water.
- Lionfish typically inhabit tropical and subtropical waters.
LIONFISH AS FOOD AND PETS
- A lionfish is not poisonous. Therefore, eating even without removing a specific part or organ from the body is safe.
- Lionfish are delicious seafood once their spines are removed and cooked.
- Experts are actually encouraging including it in seafood markets as another way to mitigate its impact on other marine life.
- Furthermore, they are kept as aquarium fish because of their attractive colors.
- However, lionfish require larger aquariums, and because of their diet, they cannot be alone with other fish.
- Lionfish also require more upkeep because they only thrive in saltwater aquariums.
LIONFISH SPECIES
- The first lionfish species is the Andover lionfish, typically found in Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Sabah Malaysia, and the Philippines. They usually live in sandy-silty substrates, which are commonly close to river mouths. The Andover lionfish have relatively short and 11 soft rays in its dorsal fins. Dark spots can also be seen in their median fins. They are solitary fish and hide in crevices and under rocks, with their tails pointing outwards, during the day.
- The next species is the spotfin lionfish which is the only lionfish that have the color blue. Spotfin lionfish also have very long, free-moving white spines in their pectoral and dorsal fins. They typically feed on crabs and shrimp, and in order to trap their prey, they fan out their pectoral fins. They can be found in the Indian and Pacific Oceans, Southern Japan, and Northern Australia.
- Red Sea lionfish are an iconic Red Sea species. They are the most frequently spotted lionfish and sometimes called turkey fish. They are considered the most beautiful ugly fish on Red Sea reefs and are often found sitting motionless on blocks of coral.
- The Japanese or luna lionfish are light red in color with many brown lines. They also have elliptical bodies with long pectoral and dorsal fins which constrain strong venom. Luna lionfish can be seen swimming slowly and gently but can swallow their prey whole. They usually live around coral reefs near the ocean floor; whenever they sense danger, they raise their fins.
- The devil firefish is species of lionfish native to the Indo-Pacific while some of them can be found in the Caribbean and Western Atlantic. They live on lagoon reefs close to the coast. Devil firefish have feather-like fins which are divided into radii. Their bodies are composed of brown and white vertical bands. They feed on fish and crustaceans.
Lionfish Worksheets
This fantastic bundle includes everything you need to know about the Lionfish across 27 in-depth pages. These ready-to-use worksheets are perfect for teaching kids about the Lionfish, structures used to span a large gap or open area.
Complete List of Included Worksheets
Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.
- Bridges Facts
- Hidden Bridge
- What The Bridge
- Bridge and Match
- Famous Bridges
- Bridge It Right!
- Name My Parts
- Bridge Failure
- Ask A Bridge
- World-Record Bridges
- Bridge-gineer
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Link will appear as Lionfish Facts & Worksheets: https://kidskonnect.com - KidsKonnect, January 10, 2022
Use With Any Curriculum
These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.