20 Interesting Facts About Lionfish
Lionfish are carnivorous marine fish known for their venomous spines . They are native to the warm waters of the Indo-Pacific region. However, they have now spread to tropical waters in several parts of the world. Scorpionfish is the closest living relative of lionfish, while both fish belong to the same family. This fish family ( Scorpaenidae ) includes many venomous fish species. Lionfish inhabit almost all marine habitats in their range, including coral reefs, rock bottom, seagrasses, mangroves, and even artificial reefs (shipwrecks). They live in shallow waters from 1 to 300 feet deep. The most prominent feature of a lionfish is its venomous spines. Most lionfish species have 18 spines, located on their dorsal, anal, and pelvic fins. The main purpose of these spines is defense against predators, while the fish uses its pectoral fins and large mouth to hunt prey. The venom in lionfish spines is a neuromuscular toxin. However, it is not fatal to healthy humans, and there are no repor...