Red lionfish, also known as lionfish or zebrafish, has the scientific name Pterois volitans . They are native to the Indo-Pacific region, but have now become an invasive species in the Caribbean and along the East Coast of the United States and the Eastern Mediterranean.

Red lionfish have white stripes alternating with red, chestnut, and brown stripes. Adults of this species can grow up to 47 cm in length, making it one of the largest lionfish in the ocean; juveniles are usually only about 2.5 cm in size.

Red lionfish have an average lifespan in the wild of about 10 – 15 years. They are mainly nocturnal, their main food is other animals in the sea.

The red lionfish is known for its brilliant red and white colors with elongated fin rays. These long fin rays contain a powerful venom that helps protect the fish, whose venom protrudes from the body, similar to a mane, giving it the common name lion. The venomous spines help the fish deter most potential predators.

Lionfish breed monthly and can quickly disperse during their larval stages to expand their invasive range.

They mostly live alone or in groups of one male with several females. When it’s time to spawn, the female releases two egg masses, which are fertilized by the male before floating to the surface. During one breeding session, the female can lay up to 30,000 eggs, the number of eggs being greater in the warm months.

In the larval stage, they have a large head, a long, triangular snout, long, serrated head spines, large pelvic spines, and colored ventral fins. The larvae hatch 36 hours after fertilization, they swim well and can eat small antelopes just 4 days after hatching. This stage is the shortest stage in the life of the red lionfish, with a duration of about one month.

Although the red lionfish’s spines are venomous, they are not enough to cause death to humans. People who are bitten will feel extreme pain, and may experience headaches, nausea and difficulty breathing. A common treatment is to immediately immerse the wound in the hottest water you can stand, the heat will break down the proteins in the venom. This treatment should be applied on the way to the doctor or hospital for more advanced medical care.

The red lionfish is an invasive species in many parts of the world due to its ability to reproduce. They reach reproductive maturity in less than a year. Lionfish can be kept in captivity, with some species breeding in pairs or groups. However, before breeding lionfish, make sure to have a plan to manage production numbers to avoid affecting other creatures.