Lionfish interesting facts

October 6, 2010 | In: Animal facts for kids



Slow and elegant, the lionfish is one coral reef inhabitant you don’t want to cuddle. While their colorful stripes and long arching fins make them favorites of aquarium collections, the lionfish’s spines are loaded with venom. An injection of venom from a lionfish can be deadly and will always make you very sick.

Lionfish live in the warm waters of coral reefs around the world. The most colorful and interesting-looking lionfish come from the Indian Ocean and the western Pacific. Like its cousin the scorpion fish, lionfish are hunters that like to remain motionless until a favorite meal passes by. During the day, lionfish remain near rocky outcroppings, but at sundown they leave their hiding place to hunt for their favorite meals such as small fish, shrimp and even crabs.

A lionfish’s mouth is large enough to swallow animals nearly as large as its own body. Unlike many of its relatives, the lionfish doesn’t rely on camouflage to hide from predators. Instead, it uses its bright colors and distinctive patterns to remind hungry predators that it is poisonous. Even if fish are not very smart, they usually have enough brain power to recognize a poisonous animal like the lionfish.


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