Lionfish

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Lionfish in Red Sea near Hurghada

Lionfish, Peleliu, Palau

A Lionfish is any of several species of venomous marine fish in the genera Pterois, Pteropterus, Parapterois, Brachypterois, Ebosia or Dendrochirus, family Scorpaenidae. The lionfish is also known as the Turkey Fish, Dragon Fish and Scorpion Fish. [1] The lionfish are voracious predators. When they are hunting, they corner prey using their large fins and then use their lightning quick reflexes to swallow the prey whole. They are notable for their extremely long and separated spines, and have a generally striped appearance, red, brown, or black on white.

While the hardiness and disease resistance of the lionfish make their care relatively simple, the venom of the spines is extremely painful, and lionfish are recommended for only the careful aquarist.

The lionfish is native to the tropical Indo-Pacific region of the world, but various species can be found worldwide. Due to an accidental introduction the lionfish has recently been spotted in the warmer coral regions of the Eastern Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea.[2] Successful breeding of the Lionfish in captivity has not been reported.

1 Venom
- 1.1 Response
2 Species
- 2.1 Genus Pterois
- 2.2 Genus Dendrochirus
3 Culinary Uses
4 Trivia
5 Additional Images
6 References

[edit] Venom

As mentioned before lionfish are a member of the scorpionfish family Scorpaenidae and as such they receive their name from their venomous dorsal, pelvic and anal spines. Typically they have 12 to 13 dorsal spines, 2 pelvic spines and 3 anal spines. Each of these spines has the characteristics of a hypodermic needle and is connected to a venom sack at its base. However the ornate pectoral fins, though similar in appearance the dorsal fins, are not equipped with these glands. The mechanics of envenomation are similar to a syringe. Each long hollow spine is surrounded by a sheath which, when entering a victim, is compressed down the length of the spine. This sheath then presses onto the venom sack compressing it and expelling the venom up the hollow spine into the victim. These spines can break off causing potential long term damage if left alone.

The severity of an envenomation event may depend on the species and the size of the lionfish. The predominate effects of the lionfish venom are severe pain and swelling (edema) in the area around the wound. Other systematic responses such as nausea, dizziness, muscle weakness, shortness of breath, hypotension, and headache have been recorded either from the venom or as a reaction to level of pain.

In a series of 101 documented cases of captive lionfish envenomations in the US, the following effects were reported (Gallagher, 2001):

92% of patients experienced local pain
60% of patients experienced edema
13% of patients experienced systematic symptoms
1% of patients experienced tissue necrosis
0% of patients experienced death

In another study of 45 documented cases of captive lionfish envenomations reported to the San Francisco Poison Control Center over a 5 year span, the following effects were reported (Kizer, et al, 1985):

100% of patients experienced local pain
22% of patients experienced pain extending through the affected extremity
13% of patients experienced systemic symptoms
0% of patients experienced death

[edit] Response

Lionfish venom is comprised of thermolabile proteins which, as their name suggests, are vulnerable to heat and denature quite easily. First aid techniques are to immerse wound in hot water(43 – 45 °C) for 30 to 40 min or until pain diminishes.

[edit] Species

Clearfin lionfish, Pterois Radiata

[edit] Genus Pterois

Red lionfish Pterois volitans (Peacock lionfish, lionfish, red firefish)
Plaintail turkeyfish Pterois russelii
Broadbarred firefish Pterois antennata (Banded lionfish, Spotfin lionfish)
Radial firefish Pterois radiata (Clearfin lionfish, Tailbar lionfish, Whitefin lionfish, Clearfin Turkeyfish)
Hawaiian turkeyfish Pterois sphex (Hawaiian Lionfish)
Frillfin Turkeyfish Pterois mombasae
Luna lionfish Pterois lunulata
Pterois kodipungi

[edit] Genus Dendrochirus

Twospot turkeyfish Dendrochirus biocellatus (Twinspot lionfish)
Shortfin turkeyfish Dendrochirus brachypterus (Shortfin lionfish)
Zebra turkeyfish Dendrochirus zebra (Dwarf lionfish, Zebra lionfish)
Green Lionfish Dendrochirus barberi (Hawaiian Lionfish)
Bellus Lionfish Dendrochirus bellus

[edit] Culinary Uses

Though lionfish venom is dangerous, it is localized around the spines, making the fish rather safe to eat (c.f Fugu, where the toxin is present throughout the internal organs).

Surfers at Teaupoo,Tahiti have the fear of getting stung by one of these when they wipe out.