Pterois
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 Pterois volitans
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Pterois is a genus of venomous, marine fish found mostly in the Indo-Pacific. The fish of the genus Pterois has a pair of fan-shaped pectoral fins and a spiky first dorsal fin. These fins give the fish the appearance of a lion's mane, which makes lionfish as their common name. The shape and coloring of its body provide it the ability to blend with the surroundings, which is usually called mimicry.
Scorpionfish is another common name of Pterois, as its spines are venomous. This venom is said to be painful, but the sting of a lionfish is not fatal for human beings. Both the mimicry and the venom are important defenses. When a predator identifies any Pterois in disguise with the habitat, the sting from its back will keep predators away for quite a long time. The body of most Pterois is dominated by the color maroon, or sometimes brown, with (usually) white stripes along the body and fins. Pterois lives is coral reefs, especially in tropical shores. Pterois is popular as a table fish, and also a great pick as a marine aquarium fish.
Pteropterus has been reclassified into Pterois.
[edit] References
- "Pterois". FishBase. Ed. Ranier Froese and Daniel Pauly. Mar 2007 version. N.p.: FishBase, 2007.
- "Pteropterus". FishBase. Ed. Ranier Froese and Daniel Pauly. Mar 2007 version. N.p.: FishBase, 2007.
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