Pterois Volitans Collection

Lionfish (Pterois volitans). This fish has poisonous spines in its fins. The sting is extremely painful, but is unlikely to be fatal to a human. Photographed in Irian Jaya, Indonesia

Lionfish on a reef
Lionfish (Pterois volitans) hunting smaller fish on a coral reef. The lionfish is a predator, often hunting in groups. It uses its widespread fins to force prey, mostly smaller fish

Red Lionfish flares its deadly spines as a warning to the photographer not to get any closer, Bonaire, Caribbean Netherlands

Pterois volitans, red lionfish
Plate 112 from the John Reeves Collection. John Reeves, a 19th Century Tea Inspector, travelled to Canton, China in order to develop a large collection of Chinese natural history drawings

Scorpaena volitans (Pterois volitans)
Plate 184 - Naturgeschichte der ausl䮤 ischen Fische : mit sechs und dreissig Ausgemalten kupfern nach originalen (1785-95) by Marcus Elieser Bloch

Lionfish (Pterois volitans). This predatory fish is native to the Indo-Pacific region. It fins have spines containing a potent toxin, which deters predators and can deliver a very painful sting

Bearded ghoul, Inimicus didactylus, broadbarred firefish, Pterois antennata, and red lionfish, Pterois volitans
FLO4655230 Bearded ghoul, Inimicus didactylus, broadbarred firefish, Pterois antennata, and red lionfish, Pterois volitans

Invasive Lionfish (Pterois volitans) which have taken over and are wiping out native fish in the Atlantic ocean. The highest densities are in the northern gulf of Mexico. Destin, Florida, USA

Red lionfish (Pterois volitans) swimming under a coral ledge, Palau

Close up portrait of female Lionfish (Pterois volitans) in the late afternoon, when Lionfish are more active. The Alternatives, Sha ab Mahmood, Sinai, Egypt. Red Sea

Lionfish (Pterois volitans) portrait, invasive species in the Caribbean. East End, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands, British West Indies, Caribbean Sea

RF - Young lionfish (Pterois volitans) swimming near surface hunting silversides, at dusk. Beacon Rock, Sha ab Mahmood, Sinai, Egypt. Red Sea

Lionfish (Pterois volitans) patrolling the edge of Suzie's Bommie, a healthy reef and popular dive site accessible from Lololata Island Resort near Port Moresby, Coral Sea, Papua New Guinea

Red lionfish, Pterois volitans, Pteroide volante 1, and blue blanquillo, Taenianotus latovittatus
6338496 Red lionfish, Pterois volitans, Pteroide volante 1, and blue blanquillo, Taenianotus latovittatus, Tenianoto striata larga 2 by Corsi (19th century); (add.info.: Red lionfish)

A lionfish (Pterois volitans) chases a school of silversides (hardyhead silverside: Atherinomorus lacunosus) beneath a jetty. Berenice Jetty, Aqaba, Jordan. Gulf of Aqaba, Jordan

A young lionfish (Pterois volitans) swimming near the surface (hunting silversides, not pictured) close to dusk. Beacon Rock, Sha ab Mahmood, Sinai, Egypt. Red Sea

Portrait of a lionfish (Pterois volitans), a study of concentration as it hunts. Salawati Island, Raja Ampat, Indonesia. Ceram Sea

Lionfish (Pterois volitans) Indonesia

Invasive species, Indo Pacific Lionfish (Pterois volitans) West Sand Ridge, Bahamas Bank near Grand Bahama, Caribbean

Female Lionfish (Pterois volitans) on coral reef. Jackfish Alley, Ras Mohammed Marine Park, Sinai, Egypt. Gulf of Aqaba, Red Sea

Lionfish, Philippines
Two Lionfish (Pterois volitans) search over hard coral for a meal at the edge of a drop off; Philippines

Lionfish (Pterois Volitans); Indonesia

Malaysia, Reef Scene With Lionfish (Pterois Volitans) And Schooling Jack Fish (Caranx Sexfasciatus) ; Sipidan Island

A lionfish hunts for prey on a colorful coral reef
Lionfish (Pterois volitans) hunts for prey on a colorful coral reef in Komodo National Park, Indonesia. This fish is a common predator on Indo-Pacific reefs

Close-up of a lionfish in Komodo National Park, Indonesia
A lionfish (Pterois volitans) hovers over a reef in Komodo National Park, Indonesia. This tropical region in Indonesia is known for its spectacular coral reefs and high marine biodiversity

An Invasive Indo-Pacific Lionfish off the coast of North Carolina in the Atlantic Ocean

A lionfish swims on a colorful reef in the Solomon Islands
A lionfish (Pterois volitans) swims on a colorful reef in the Solomon Islands. This part of Melanesia is known for its high marine biodiversity and is a popular destination for divers and snorkelers

A lionfish swims along the edge of a mangrove
A lionfish (Pterois volitans) swims along the edge of a mangrove in the Solomon Islands. This part of Melanesia is known for its high marine biodiversity and is a popular destination for divers

Lionfish foraging amongst corals and reef fish, Papua New Guinea
Lionfish (Pterois volitans) amongst corals and reef fish, Fathers reef, Kimbe Bay, Papua New Guinea

Indonesian Lionfish on a wreck site off the coast of North Carolina
Indonesian Lionfish, an invasive species in Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean, seen here on a wreck site off the coast of North Carolina

Face shot of a red lionfish, North Sulawesi, Indonesia
Face shot of a red lionfish (Pterois volitans), Lembeh Strait, North Sulawesi, Indonesia

Close-up of view of a lionfish, Raja Ampat, West Papua, Indonesia
Close-up of view of a lionfish (Pterois volitans), Raja Ampat, West Papua, Indonesia

A lionfish displays its venomous spines
A lionfish (Pterois volitans) displays its venomous spines in Komodo National Park, Indonesia. This tropical area in the western Pacific harbors an extraordinary array of marine organisms

Juvenille lionfish hides in an inshore Fijian weed bed
Juvenille lionfish hides in the shallows of an inshore Fijian weed bed

A lionfish swims on a reef in Komodo National Park, Indonesia
A lionfish (Pterois volitans) swims on a reef in Komodo National Park, Indonesia. This part of the Coral Triangle is known for its high marine biodiversity

Common lionfish resting amongst coral, Solomon Islands
Common lionfish (Pterois volitans) resting amongst coral, Solomon Islands

Facial view of a lionfish showing its spines, Komodo National Park, Indonesia

Invasive Indo-Pacific lionfish on wreck in North Carolina

Scuba diver nets invasive Indo-Pacific lionfish off the coast of North Carolina

Common lionfish, full body view, Solomon Islands
Common lionfish (Pterois volitans), full body view, Solomon Islands

Close-up view of a lionfish. Gorontalo, Indonesia
Close-up view of a lionfish (Pterois volitans), Gorontalo, Indonesia

Common lionfish with diver in background, Solomon Islands
Common lionfish (Pterois volitans) with diver and torch in background, Solomon Islands

A large common lionfish swimming at Beqa Lagoon, Fiji
A large common lionfish (Pterois volitans) swimming at Beqa Lagoon, Fiji

Diver spears an invasive Indo-Pacific Lionfish in the Caribbean Sea

A red lionfish resting on a coral reef unthreatened
A red lionfish resting on a coral reef apparently not threatened due to the fins not displayed. A large barrel sponge forms the backdrop in the clear warm waters of Papua New Guinea

Close-up view of a lionfish, Curacao

A lionfish swims beneath a pier off the coast of Belize. Lionfish are an introduced species to the Caribbean Sea and have no natural predators

A diver looks on at a lionfish hovering above staghorn coral, Indonesia
A diver looks on at a lionfish (Pterois volitans) hovering above staghorn coral, Gorontalo, Sulawesi, Indonesia

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The mesmerizing beauty of the pterois volitans, commonly known as the Lionfish, is undeniable. With its vibrant colors and intricate patterns, it effortlessly blends into the colorful tapestry of a reef. But behind this captivating facade lies a deadly predator. The Red Lionfish flares its spines in warning, showcasing its formidable defense mechanism. This species, scientifically referred to as Scorpaena volitans (Pterois volitans), has become notorious for being an invasive threat to native marine life. In many regions around the world, these Lionfish have taken over reefs with alarming speed, wreaking havoc on local ecosystems. Their voracious appetite knows no bounds as they indiscriminately prey on smaller fish and crustaceans. One can spot these invasive creatures patrolling the edges of stunning dive sites like Suzie's Bommie near Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea or swimming gracefully under coral ledges in Palau. Their presence is a constant reminder of the delicate balance between nature's wonders and human interference. A close-up portrait reveals the fierce determination in their eyes as they navigate through their new territories. In places like the Caribbean, where they have established themselves as an invasive species, efforts are being made to control their population and minimize their impact on local biodiversity. Young lionfish can be seen near the water's surface at dusk when they hunt silversides with remarkable agility, and is during these moments that one witnesses both their gracefulness and potential danger up close. As we marvel at their beauty from afar or encounter them underwater during our dives, let us not forget that pterois volitans serves as a stark reminder of humanity's role in shaping our environment – both positively and negatively.