[viewBag] title = "Lionfish" url = "/lionfish" layout = "about-template" is_hidden = 0 navigation_hidden = 0 ==
Lionfish, scientifically referred to by its genus name, Pterois, are a genus of fish, native to the Indo-Pacific Ocean region. They are know by a wide variety of names across the world including: zebrafish, firefish and turkeyfish. They are easily identified by their long, venomous spines and seemingly unique tentacles. There are twelve distinct species of lionfish, however, only two species are considered present in the Caribbean, Pterois volitans & Pterois miles.
Lionfish are characterized by their long, venomous spines. As adults, Atlantic lionfish average between 13 and 16 inches in length. It takes approximately two years for a lionfish to reach maturity. The species found in the Atlantic are often referred to as "Red Lionfish" and are striped, white, dark red, brown and black. They also have dark sports around their tail fin. Their spines are venomous, however, no known human fatalities have occurred from lionfish stings.
If you are stung by a lionfish, you need to seek medical treatment immediately.
Female lionfish are capable of laying unfertilized eggs at about a year old. Once mature enough to lay eggs, lionfish reproduce at an astronomical rate. Females can lay anywhere from 10,000 to 30,000 eggs every four days. Given favorable water conditions, a lionfish can consistently leg eggs every four days, all year long. That is roughly 2,000,000 eggs a year from a single fish. In the Atlantic, the waters of the Caribbean only allow for eggs to be laid for about four months out of the year.
[1] Lionfish.co