Latin name

Pterois antennata

Other names

Banded lionfish, broadbarred lionfish, broadbarred firefish, raggedfinned firefish, raggedfinned scorpionfish, roughscaled lionfish.

Identification

Like all fish in this subfamily, the species is characterized by a body that is compressed at the sides.  

Features of fish fins

Fan-shaped pectoral fins greatly enlarged. Dorsal spines (total): 13; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11-12; anal soft rays: 3. 

Fish colouring

The basic coloration is dark maroon with white horizontal stripes. There are blue spots at the end of the pectoral fins.

Distribution

They inhabit the tropical Indian Ocean from East Africa to the Great Barrier Reef in northeastern Australia. 

Habitat

A marine tropical species, it lives at depths of up to 50 meters. Its habitat is lagoons and reefs.

Size

Reaches a maximum length of 20 cm. 

Behavior

The fish is solitary and probably stays close to the bottom.  It hides in crevices under rocks and coral formations during the day and hunts at night. 

Food and feeding habits

It swims slowly and corners its prey with its fins spread. In addition to fish, it feeds on crustaceans.

Reproduction

Do not breed in captivity.

Fishing

Subsistence fishing; Aquarium: commercial.

Relationship with a person

The spotfin lionfish is a venomous fish. Its dorsal fin rays, as well as two pelvic fin rays and two anal fin rays, are equipped with venom glands. Puncture by these rays can cause painful wounds to divers. The venom in the sting can cause respiratory paralysis, cardiovascular failure and fever in humans. Symptoms usually resolve within a day or two.