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| LIONFISH,
SCORPIONFISH, & STONEFISH |
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| SCIENTIFIC
CLASSIFICATION |
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| COMMON
NAME: |
lionfish
(turkeyfish, zebrafish), scorpionfish, & stonefish
(rockfish) |
| KINGDOM: |
Animalia |
| PHYLUM: |
Chordata |
| CLASS: |
Osteichthyes |
| ORDER: |
Scorpaeniformes |
| FAMILY: |
Scorpaenidae |
| GENUS
SPECIES: |
No
data |
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| DESCRIPTION: |
A
lionfish has a color pattern of contrasting reds
and whites and possesses long feathery fins, which
hide up to 18 dorsal spines. |
| Some
scorpionfish are also brightly colored and many
have venomous dorsal spines. |
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contrast, the stonefish, while still possessing
highly venomous spines, is named for its rough,
rocklike appearance, which helps to camouflage the
fish in its rocky habitat. |
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| INCUBATION: |
Most
oviparous (egg laying); some scorpionfish are viviparous
(live birth) |
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| RANGE: |
Found
in all temperate and tropical seas. Most species
found in the Pacific and Indian Oceans. |
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| HABITAT: |
Found
in fresh, brackish and marine waters, but rare in
fresh water. Most species are bottom-dwelling and
many inhabit shallow reef areas. |
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| POPULATION: |
GLOBAL |
No
data |
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| STATUS: |
IUCN |
1
species listed as Critically Endangered,
2 species listed as Endangered, and
1 species as Vulnerable |
| CITES |
Not
listed |
| USFWS |
Not
listed |
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| 1. |
The
huge fish order Scorpaeniformes contains some 20
families and more than 1,000 species. About 300
of these species make up the family Scorpaenidae,
which includes scorpionfishes (Scorpaena
spp.), stonefishes (Synanceja spp.), and
lionfishes (Pterois spp.). All of these fishes
have venom glands and spines. |
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| 2. |
The delicate-looking lionfish shows little fear
of intruders, for its feathery dorsal fin is well
armed. The vivid colors of a lionfish may act as
a visual warning to potential enemies to stay away
from its deadly spines. To capture prey, it maneuvers
small fishes and crustaceans into confined spaces
where it can swallow them more easily. When threatened,
a lionfish turns its body sideways, delivering a
painful jab from its needle-sharp spines. A lionfish
can have as many as 18 dorsal spines, some of which
can be as long as 36 cm (14 in.). Once injected,
the venom causes intensely painful wounds that can
lead to convulsions, paralysis, and possibly even
death to humans. A lionfish is slow moving for the
most part. |
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| 3. |
A stonefish inhabits shallow coral reef areas and
the rocky temperate waters of the Indo-Pacific.
The camouflage of the stonefish allows it to blend
in with the bottom of a reef area, where it waits
motionlessly for prey to pass by. It then lashes
out with incredible speed, engulfing its prey in
one swift motion. |
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| 4. |
Because
a stonefish is so well camouflaged, humans may accidentally
step on one while wading in shallow water. Stonefish
are considered the deadliest fish in the world.
There are several recorded human deaths due to stonefish
stings. |
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| 5. |
For
more information about bony fishes, explore the
bony
fishes info book. |
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| Andrews,
A., Parham, D. and W. Street. Bony Fishes.
SeaWorld Education Department Publication. San Diego,
SeaWorld, Inc. 1995. |
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Burgess, W. and H.R. Axelrod. Pacific Marine
Fishes. Books 1,2, & 3. Neptune City, NJ.
T.F.H. Publications, Inc. Ltd. 1971, 1974. |
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Halstead, B. Dangerous Aquatic Animals of the
World. San Diego, Palace Press. 1992.
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| http://www.coralreefnetwork.com/marlife/fishes/fishes.htm |
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| http://www.fishbase.org/ |
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