WPterois is a genus of venomous marine fish, commonly known as lionfish, native to the Indo-Pacific. Also called zebrafish, firefish, turkeyfish, tastyfish or butterfly-cod, it is characterized by conspicuous warning coloration with red, white, creamy, or black bands, showy pectoral fins, and venomous spiky fin rays. Pterois radiata, Pterois volitans, and Pterois miles are the most commonly studied species in the genus. Pterois species are popular aquarium fish. P. volitans and P. miles are recent and significant invasive species in the west Atlantic, Caribbean Sea and Mediterranean Sea.
WThe clearfin lionfish, also called the tailbar lionfish, radiata lionfish, fireworks fish or radial firefish, is a carnivorous, ray-finned fish with venomous spines that lives in the Indian and western Pacific Oceans. This is the only lionfish species which has spines without any markings. It can also be recognized by the pair of horizontal white stripes on its caudal peduncle.
WThe Luna lionfish, also known as the dragon's beard fish, is a scorpaenid fish of the genus Pterois native to tropical ocean waters in the western Pacific Ocean.
WPterois miles, the devil firefish or common lionfish, is a species of ray-finned fish native to the western Indo-Pacific region. It is frequently confused with its close relative, the red lionfish. The scientific name is from Greek pteron, meaning "wing", and Latin miles, meaning "soldier".
WPterois mombasae, the African lionfish, deepwater firefish or frillfin turkeyfish, is a fish found in the tropical Indian Ocean and the Western Pacific, typically in soft-bottomed areas of the ocean, often in conjunction with invertebrate growth. It grows to a maximum size of 20 cm, and is of moderate commercial value.
WThe red lionfish is a venomous coral reef fish in the family Scorpaenidae, order Scorpaeniformes. It is mainly native to the Indo-Pacific region, but has become an invasive species in the Caribbean Sea, as well as along the East Coast of the United States and East Mediterranean.
WPterois russelii, the plaintail turkeyfish, soldier lionfish or Russell's lionfish, is a lionfish species native to the Indo-Pacific Ocean from the eastern part of Africa to the Persian Gulf. They grow up to 30 cm in length. It occasionally makes its way into the aquarium trade. It is generally found in reefs. They can have as many as 26 spines. They have 13 dorsal spine, 10–12 dorsal soft rays, 3 anal spines, and 7–8 anal soft rays
WPterois sphex, the Hawaiian turkeyfish or Hawaiian lionfish is a scorpaenid fish found in the eastern Central Pacific, specifically in marine waters off of Hawaii. It is found in seaward reefs and lagoons at depths from 3 – 122 m.
WThe spotfin lionfish or broadbarred firefish is a fish found in the tropical Indian and Western Pacific Oceans; it grows to a maximum of 20 cm (8 in) and, like other lionfish, has venomous spiny dorsal fins. Its typical habitat is in lagoons and reefs, where it hides during the day and hunts shrimp and crab at night.