Taxonomic name: Pterois volitans (Linnaeus 1758)
Synonyms: Brachirus zebra (Quoy and Gaimard, 1825), Gasterosteus volitans, Pterois cristatus, Pterois geniserra, Pterois muricata, Pterois zebra Quoy and Gaimard, 1825, Scorpaena volitans (Linnaeus, 1758)
Common names: butterfly cod (English-Christmas Island), cá Mao Tiên (Vietnamese-Viet Nam), chale (Swahili-Kenya), firefish (English), hana-minokasago (Japanese-Japan), laffe volant (French-Seychelles), lepu-penganten (Malay-Indonesia), lion fish (English), lionfish (English), lionfish (English-Guam, Micronesia and USA), lionfish scorpion (English), ominokasago (Japanese-Japan), ornate butterfly-cod (English), ornate butterfly-cod (English-USA), poisson scorpion (French-Mauritius), poisson volant (French-Seychelles), poisson-dindon (French-Mauritius), red firefish (English-Australia and USA), red lionfish (English-New Zealand), sausau-lele (Samoan-Samoa), scorpion fish (English), skrzydlica pstra (Polish-Poland), turkey fish (English-Guam, Micronesia and USA), turkeyfish (English), volitan lion (English), zebrafish (English)
Organism type: fish Pterois volitans (red lionfish) is a tropical carnivorous fish that originates from Indo-Pacific areas. Its most distinguishing character is a number of elongated venomous dorsal and anal fin spines. It has been introduced by aquarium releases and has established some populations in the western Atlantic. It is the first time aquarium releases have resulted in the successful establishement of non-native marine fish. Description
Pterois volitans has elongated venomous dorsal- and anal-fin spines. It has 13 dorsal spines, 10 - 11 dorsal soft rays, 3 anal spines, 6 – 7 anal soft rays. Coastal populations are generally darker, sometimes almost black in estuaries. Often with large tentacles above eyes" (FishBase 2006). The membranes of fins are often spotted. The body is white or cream coloured with red to reddish-brown vertical stripes. The vertical stripes alternate from wide to very thin (with the thin stripes being more numerous) and sometimes merge along the flank to form a V. (Schofield and Fuller 2006). The maximum total length of adults is 38cm (FishBase 2006). Maximum adult body weight is 1.10–1.20kg (Fishelson 1997). Similar Species
Pterois miles
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Occurs in:
marine habitats Habitat description
Pterois volitans is a reef-associated marine fish, which usually occurs in tropical regions with water temperatures of 22 – 28°C. Observed temperature range of red lionfish in southeastern USA is 13.8–24.4°C (Meister et al. 2005). It inhabits lagoon and seaward reefs from turbid inshore areas and harbours with a depth range of 2 – 55m (FishBase 2006). Schofield and Fuller (2006) reports that the depth range of this species was 10 - 175 m. It hides in unexposed places at daytime often with head down and practically immobile. Pelagic juveniles expatriate over great distances and this is the reason for their broad geographical range (FishBase 2006). General impacts
The red lionfish could pose a threat to Florida’s fishermen, divers, and wildlife inspectors because it is venomous and because the general public may not be aware of that fact. When threatened, red lionfish will arch their backs, pointing their dorsal spines at the aggressor, and swim forward rapidly in order to inflict a sting.
Envenomation of the hand has been the most common injury (Ruiz-Carus, Jr. et al. 2006). Careless handling of recently dead specimens can also result in serious wounds (Ruiz-Carus, Jr. et al. 2006 in Pulce et al. 1991). Symptoms of the sting may include: extreme pain, swelling, redness, bleeding, nausea, numbness, joint pain, anxiety, headache, disorientation, dizziness, nausea, paralysis, and convulsions (Ruiz-Carus, Jr. et al. 2006). Currently, there is no negative effects on the ecosystem as the number of lionfish observed is relatively few, but future effects on tropical and subtropical reef communities in the western central Atlantic may occur if reproduction and dispersal of this species results in population growth (Whitfield 2002). Uses
Red lionfish is a popular aquarium fish around the world (Schofield and Fuller 2006). Commercial fisheries of red lionfish exists in its native range (FishBase 2006). Notes
Red lionfish sting can be treated by heating the afflicted part and application of corticoids (FishBase 2006). Basic treatment includes immersing the afflicted area in hot water (to 45° C) (Florida Museum of Natrual History 2006).
The only known species to prey upon lionfish in their native range is the bluespotted cornetfish Fistularia commersonii (Meister et al. 2005 in Bernadsky and Goulet 1991).
A leech parasite Myzobdella lugubris was found attached to the middle portion of tongue of an adult male fish collected off Jacksonville (Ruiz-Carus, Jr. et al. 2006). Geographical range
Native range: Pterois volitans is widely distributed throughout the western Pacific and most of Oceania east to French Polynesia (Schofield and Fuller 2006). It is reported in following countries and areas: , Australia , China , Christmas Island , Cocos (Keeling) Islands , Cook Islands , Democratic People's Republic of Korea , Fiji , French Polynesia , Guam , Hong Kong, China , India , Indonesia , Japan , Korea, Republic of , Malaysia , Maldives , Marshall Islands , Mauritius , Federated States of Micronesia, Mozambique , New Caledonia , New Zealand , Norfolk Island , Northern Mariana Islands , Palau , Papua New Guinea , Philippines , Pitcairn Island , Samoa , Seychelles , Sri Lanka , Taiwan, Province of China , Vanuatu and Viet Nam (UNEP-WCMC 2006).
Known introduced range: Eastern coasts of US, which including: New York, New Jersey, North and South Carolina, Georgia, Florida and Cuba (Matanzas) (Schofield and Fuller 2006). Introduction pathways to new locations
Pet/aquarium trade: The red lionfish is a popular aquarium fish. Aquarium releases is the main introduction passway of the red lionfish (Whitfield 2002).
Ship ballast water: Accidental introduction of eggs or larvae of red lionfish via ballast water is possible (Whitfield 2002).
Local dispersal methods
Natural dispersal (local): Management information
No specific preventative or control activities information have been recorded. Although releasing fishes from captivity is illegal in most states of USA, aquarists and the aquarium industry are not well informed about the existence of such laws (Semmens et al. 2004 in King & Schrock 1985). Courtenay & Robins (1973) suggested that the aquarium industry and natural resource agencies should develop a program to educate dealers and aquarists about the legality and environmental impacts of exotic-species introductions, but little progress has been made to date (Semmens et al. 2004). If the problem is currently restricted to a few isolated adults, it may be possible to remove all or most of the individuals and prevent the establishment of a viable population.If eradication is already infeasible, efforts should be made to evaluate the rate and direction of spread of the invasions and their ecological impacts (Semmens et al. 2004). Nutrition
Red lionfish is an ambush carnivore that preys on crustaceans (crabs and shrimps) and small fishes such as Gambusia affinis and tilapias. It is relatively quick to adapt to novel prey types, and quickly learns to avoid noxious prey. Cannibalism occurs (Fishelson 1997). Reproduction
Red lionfish are external fertilizers that produce a pelagic egg mass following a courtship and mating process (Florida Museum of Natrual History 2006). Planktonic larvae. Red lionfish has low reproduction rate, minimum population doubling time is 4.5 - 14 years (FishBase 2006) Lifecycle stages
In Indo-Pacific populations, red lionfish become sexually mature around 18–19cm TL and 140–160 g body weight (Fishelson 1997). Data recorded for the closely related Pterois miles provide the best estimate of red lionfish early development. P. miles larvae settle out of the water column after a period of approximately 25 to 40 days, at a size of 10-12mm in length (Florida Museum of Natrual History 2006). Principal sources: FishBase 2006 Pterois volitans
Whitfield et al.. 2002. Biological invasion of the Indo-Pacific lionfish Pterois volitans along the Atlantic coast of North America.
Ruiz-Carus Jr. et al. 2006. The western Pacific red lionfish, Pterois volitans (Scorpaenidae), in Florida: Evidence for reproduction and parasitism in the first exotic marine fish established in state waters.
Schofield and Fuller. 2006. Pterois volitans.
Compiled by: National Biological Information Infrastructure (NBII) & IUCN/SSC Invasive Species Specialist Group (ISSG)
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Last Modified: Thursday, 30 November 2006
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