Red Lionfish

Pterois volitans

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Perciformes
Family: Scorpaenidae
Genus: Pterois
Species: Pterois volitans

The red lionfish (Pterois volitans), also called the common lionfish, is a striking red-and-white striped fish with long, fan-like pectoral fins and tall, separated dorsal spines. Fleshy tentacles above its eyes and a slow, hovering swim make it one of the most recognisable fish on the reef.

It grows to about 35-38 cm and hunts small fish and shrimps, often at dusk, using its spread fins to herd prey into a corner before swallowing it in a quick strike. Its dorsal, pelvic and anal spines carry venom that causes very painful stings, so it should never be touched. Outside its native Indo-Pacific range it has become a damaging invasive species in the Atlantic and Caribbean.

In the Philippines it is found on reefs, wrecks and muck sites, often hovering under ledges or near coral heads, and is frequently seen alongside smaller relatives such as the twinspot lionfish.