Pterois
IUCN
NCBI
EOL Text
Species of the genus Pterois (more commonly known as lionfish, turkeyfish, dragonfish) belong to the family Scorpaenidae which includes many known species of venomous marine fish that can live up to 15 years and be up to 40cm standard length. Lionfish are native to the Indo-Pacific however, in 1992 an invasion of P. volitans and P. miles broke out in Key Biscayne, Florida. Today, lionfish have spread all around the Caribbean with several sightings as far north on the Gulf Stream as Rhode Island and Bermuda (Schofield 2009). Efforts to control the populations of P. volitans and P. miles include exemption of fishing permits and limits in the state of Florida as well as community-run derbies. Lionfish are also being served as a delicacy in restaurants.
Characterized by conspicuous red, white, and black aposematism, or warning colorations, Pterois have numerous (12-13) dorsal spines, 3 anal spines, and 9-11 frilly fin rays (Eschmeyer 1986) that differentiate them from other Scorpaeniformes. The most notable feature of the genus Pterois are the venomous spines located dorsally and anally on the body of the fish. The colorful spines contain toxins and fin rays are used to attract prey and mates. Lionfish pectoral and pelvic fins are spread latero-ventrally while keeping the dorsal fin erect which deters frontal assaults by predators. Pteroine toxins significantly prevent predation and in many instances kill test fish within 30 minutes of injection (Bernadsky and Goulet 1991). At the base of each spine is a venom gland that feeds a narrow groove up the length of the spine. When the spine is depressed, an integumentary sheath exposes the neurotoxin into the puncture wound (Attis 2010).
Depth range based on 590 specimens in 9 taxa.
Water temperature and chemistry ranges based on 347 samples.
Environmental ranges
Depth range (m): 0.15 - 449.265
Temperature range (°C): 20.374 - 29.264
Nitrate (umol/L): 0.016 - 10.882
Salinity (PPS): 32.200 - 40.307
Oxygen (ml/l): 2.138 - 5.079
Phosphate (umol/l): 0.073 - 1.043
Silicate (umol/l): 0.736 - 17.115
Graphical representation
Depth range (m): 0.15 - 449.265
Temperature range (°C): 20.374 - 29.264
Nitrate (umol/L): 0.016 - 10.882
Salinity (PPS): 32.200 - 40.307
Oxygen (ml/l): 2.138 - 5.079
Phosphate (umol/l): 0.073 - 1.043
Silicate (umol/l): 0.736 - 17.115
Note: this information has not been validated. Check this *note*. Your feedback is most welcome.
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| Rights holder/Author | Ocean Biogeographic Information System |
| Source | http://www.iobis.org/mapper/?taxon_id=501069 |
Most species of Pterois are reef associated, hiding under rocky outcroppings during the day and moving to deeper water to hunt at night. Pterois volitans and Pterois miles are also mangrove associated, sometimes migrating up estuarine systems into low salinity environments. Usually distributed between 1m and 60m deep, however, some species have been recorded as deep as 300m (REEF 2012) indicating great capability to adapt to numerous conditions. Over the course of ten months, individuals have been recorded to move only an average of 28m, exhibiting high site fidelity (Jud and Layman 2012) and contributing heavily to shaping the community structure along coastline habitats.
Individuals of the genus Pterois primarily eat smaller reef fishes as well as crustaceans actively and almost continuously throughout the course of a day with decreased feeding activity during the afternoon. The presence of a bilateral swim bladder aids in highly skilled maneuvering and ambush of prey (Morris and Akins 2009). Often a jet of water is used to disorient and distract prey before they are ingested in one swift motion, usually head first (Albins and Lyons 2012).
Sharks and the cornetfish, Fistularia commersonii, are suggested as natural predators (Steinitz 1959) whereas green moray, Gymnothorax funebris, and native groupers have been known to ingest injured lionfish in the Bahamas (Maljkovic et al. 2008).
Stripes serve as long-distance camouflage: lionfish
The stripes on a lionfish serve as camouflage by breaking up the outline of the fish when viewed from afar.
"The strange appearance of the lionfish…is caused by its highly divided dorsal and pectoral fins. At close range its striking colours are a warning to would-be predators that it is poisonous: both these groups of fins can inject poison. The striped pattern also serves to break up the outline of the fish when viewed from a distance, a form of camouflage. The zebra firefish…has a similar pattern, and its dorsal spines also contain venom. The membranes of its pectoral fins extend almost to the tips, giving the appearance of a pair of wings." (Foy and Oxford Scientific Films 1982:187)
Learn more about this functional adaptation.
- Foy, Sally; Oxford Scientific Films. 1982. The Grand Design: Form and Colour in Animals. Lingfield, Surrey, U.K.: BLA Publishing Limited for J.M.Dent & Sons Ltd, Aldine House, London. 238 p.
| License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/ |
| Rights holder/Author | (c) 2008-2009 The Biomimicry Institute |
| Source | http://www.asknature.org/strategy/04e2a8ac2eef598b83899da2c01c6477 |
Barcode of Life Data Systems (BOLD) Stats
Specimen Records:195
Specimens with Sequences:172
Specimens with Barcodes:171
Species:10
Species With Barcodes:10
Public Records:77
Public Species:8
Public BINs:7
Genomic DNA is available from 20 specimens
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| Source | http://www.oglf.org/catalog/details.php?id=T02916 |