LionfishAre also awesome

Venom…

• The venom of the lionfish, delivered via an array of up to 18 needle-like dorsal fins, is purely defensive

• A sting from a lionfish is extremely painful to humans and can cause nausea and breathing difficulties, but is rarely fatal.

Where do they live?

• Lionfish, also called turkey fish, dragon fish and scorpion fish, are native to the reefs and rocky crevices of the Indo-Pacific, although they've found their way to warm ocean habitats worldwide

Size…

• The largest of lionfish can grow to about 15 inches (0.4 meters) in length, but the average is closer to 1 foot (0.3 meters).

HUNTING

• Lionfish are voracious predators. • When hunting, they corner prey using their large fins and

then use their quick reflexes to swallow the prey whole.• They hunt primarily from late afternoon to dawn.

Questions…

• Lionfish have venom. What is this venom used for?• Where do lionfish live?• How long does an average lionfish get?• Does a lionfish use its venom for killing its prey?• How many times larger is a lionfish compared to an

average goldfish?