TwistedSifter

Picture of the Day: The Clearfin Lionfish

 

THE CLEARFIN LIONFISH

 

Photograph by The High Fin Sperm Whale on Wikimedia Commons

 

Pterois radiata, also known as the Clearfin Lionfish, Tailbar Lionfish, Radiata Lionfish or Radial Firefish, is a carnivorous, ray-finned fish with venomous spines that lives in the Indian and western Pacific oceans. It is the only lionfish species which has spines without any markings and can also be recognized by the pair of horizontal white stripes on its tail. [Source]

The species is generally uncommon and tends to inhabit lagoons and seaward reefs. They feed mostly on small crabs and shrimps and are quite capable of inflicting a painful sting [Source]. While they are suitable for home aquariums, they are one of the more difficult species of lionfish to keep because they are passive and do not compete well for food and are intolerant of poor water quality [Source].

 

via The High Fin Sperm Whale on Wikimedia Commons

 

 

 

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