Lionfish

ocean · venomous · Indo-Pacific · invasive species

Venomous spines. Lionfish have venomous spines on their dorsal fins that they use for defense. If a predator tries to eat them, the venom delivers a painful sting to warn others away.

Bright warning colors. Lionfish wear bold red, orange, or black bands on their bodies as nature's stop sign. These flashy colors tell other animals, 'I'm dangerous, so don't mess with me!'

Ostentatious fins. Their dorsal fins are enormous and fan out like a dramatic crown or cape. These fancy, showy fins make them look even bigger and scarier to hungry predators.

Indo-Pacific natives. Lionfish originally come from warm waters in the Indo-Pacific region, including the Indian Ocean and western Pacific Ocean. They were perfectly suited to life there for thousands of years.

Invasive invaders. Some lionfish species, like the red lionfish and devil firefish, have spread to the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, and Mediterranean Sea where they don't belong. Without natural predators there, they've become a serious problem.