Species Identification for Divers - Pteroinae Lionfish Field Guide

Pteroinae - Lionfish Field Guide

Identification for Divers.

CLICK AND RETURN TO MARINE BIOLOGY LIONFISH

CLICK AND RETURN TO PHOTO COLLECTIONS - UNDERWATER FIELD GUIDES

Family: Pteroinae - Lionfish

The elaborate striped coloration of the Lionfish is unmistable nut more importantly is a warning sign to predators that they are poisonous. It is also thought that the lines confuse those that might wish to eat them by breaking up the body form. Some species have "false eye" spots meant to confuse predators as to the where abouts of the creatures true eyes as this is usually the focus of an attack.

007. Common Lionfish - Pterois volitans

006. Zebra Lionfish - Dendrochirus zebra

005. Zebra Lionfish. Pattern of dark red bands, with alternating large and narrow band.

004. Common Lionfish - Pterois volitans

003. Common Lionfish. Note the false eye stalks.

002. The Common Lionfish is The body is covered with red to black bands on a pale background.

001. Spot- Fin Lionfish - Pterois antennata. Long filaments, with blue spots on membrane of pectoral fin.

Species: Parapterios heterurus - Blackfoot Lionfish

The Blackfoot Lionfish is a rare encounter, prefering deeper water environemts. On first appearance this relatively small lionfish bares many similarities to other family members of the species. However upon closer inspection it's easily identified by striking bright blue lines on the inside of its pectoral fins and dots on the inner part of the ventral fins. Also, between the second and third spine of the tailfin is an extended filament, see image 005. for a closer look.