Fish ID: Lionfish

The king of Africa is renowned for being fierce, and its marine counterpart certainly lives up to the name. The lionfish is venomous and one of the most ravenous predators in the underwater world.

Lionfish, alternatively aliased as turkey fish and fire fish, constitute eight species of theScorpaenidaefamily of scorpion fish. The two primary types of its species include the common (Pterois) and the dwarf (Dendrochirus) lionfish. The common type reaches a size of 15 inches/38 centimeters, while the dwarf only grows to half that size.

红狮鱼（pterois volitans）是几种lion鱼之一，被认为是最常见和最著名的lion鱼代表。It is notable for its distinctive fin and spine elements, and the plump tabs on its head.

lion鱼是浅珊瑚和岩石珊瑚礁的底部居民，深达50米。他们喜欢白天居住在壁架，山洞和缝隙之下。他们还居住在海湾，河口甚至港口。

lion鱼是外部产卵者。在复杂的求爱仪式之后，雄性lion鱼将其精子释放到洋流，以施肥雌性的鸡蛋。受精后两到三天，新生的lion鱼将能够在浮游动物上游泳和进食。

The Bullying Invader

lion鱼最初居住在印度太平洋水域的礁石栖息地。但是，它们现在是加勒比海和美国东海岸的一种入侵物种，从Floridato New York.

The distribution of lionfish in the non-native areas of the Atlantic is theoretically linked to the deliberate release of captive specimens by private fish tank owners.

Numerous scientific inquiry and research have already been initiated to investigate the dangers that these foreign creatures pose to the general balance of the natural Atlantic marine ecosystem.

A Feast to Save the Ecosystem

Several movements, like theWorld Lionfish Hunters Association, have been launched to limit the spread of lionfish in the Atlantic seas. Locals are encouraged to hunt and serve lionfish as a dish, while other effective methods of regulating its number are still being researched.

Being slow in nature, lionfish are easy to catch. They are safe to eat when appropriately prepared since their venom is isolated at the base of their spines. Cookbooks on the preparation of lionfish have been published for homes and restaurants to use.

伏击者

The lionfish has a stunning camouflage that it uses to effectively stalk its prey. Its outstretched and elongated pectoral fins are used to corner small fish, like Damsels, and to engulf them easily.

足够近的时候，lion鱼会捕捉猎物。隐藏在其背侧，肛门和骨盆鳍上的刺被有效地注入鱼类，虾和蟹作为有效的瘫痪剂。

The Beautiful Disaster

尽管它的刺具有有害的毒液，但许多潜水员仍然对lion鱼的美丽着迷。1zplay

When the lionfish feels threatened it raises its fins up and out to the sides, to warn of possible danger.If you do not see this warning and are accidently stung by the lionfish, immediately immerse in warm water with a temperature of at least 45^oC (113^oF) to deactivate some of its venom’s components and seek medical help.

几个小时内，他们的刺痛可能会很尖锐，而且痛苦不堪，绝对是一种严重的健康状况。最坏的病例可能导致血压，呼吸窘迫，心脏并发症和意识丧失的波动。

Further Reading

保护问题和威胁：非洲企鹅（第2部分）

The Economics of Conservation Part 1

Adapt or Die: Hybrid Sharks and Climate Change