Common Lionfish or Devil firefish [Pterois Miles]

lionfish

Length up to 35cm. This Common Lionfish varies in colour from reddish to tan or grey, and has a feathery dorsal fin and wing-like pectoral fin. Habitat in areas with crevices or lagoons, often on the outer slope of coral reefs. Distribution: Indian Ocean, Red Sea, South Africa, Indonesia, Also known in eastern Mediterranean. Very similar in appearance to Red Scorpionfish [pterois volitans] which does not occur in the red sea. The common lionfish generally has 10 dorsal-fin rays, pterois volitans has 11. Fin spines are highly venomous and can be dangerous to humans. (Description: wikipedia)

 Pictures, top: Australia, bottom: Egypt, Red Sea by Sami Salmenkivi

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