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| @ mirandablue |
A family of red lionfish (Pterois volitans) gliding gracefully at the Georgia Aquarium. They are beautifully banded and fascinating to watch. But these attractive creatures are venomous, and although their stings are not deadly, the venom inflicts extreme pain. Lionfish is a nocturnal coral reef fish native to the Indo-Pacific oceanic region. They have 13 poisonous dorsal spines that are used purely for defense, and 14 long, feather-like pectoral rays. They feed mostly on crustaceans and small fishes, which include juveniles of their own species. While courting, males are particularly aggressive to intruders but are not usually aggressive towards humans.
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| @ mirandablue |
Lionfish is not currently listed as threatened or endangered. However, the increase in pollution in coral reefs is expected to kill many of the fish and crustaceans, which lionfish depend on. (Source: Animal Diversity Web)
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| @ mirandablue |
Posted for Watery Wednesday
