Species learning profile

Poisson scorpion

Pterois volitans

Lionfish (Pterois volitans) is a saltwater fish associated with reef habitat in Pacific. Its dramatic spines carry venom.

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Illustration originale de la collection Fishdle de Poisson scorpion
Source de l’illustration: Fishdle · CC BY 4.0

At a glance

Eau
Eau salée
Habitat
Récif
Longueur maximale
38 cm
Répartition
Pacifique
Famille
Scorpaenidae
Ordre
Scorpaeniformes

Observe

How to identify Poisson scorpion

  • Striped red, brown, and white.
  • Showy fan-like fins and long, dramatic spines.
  • Reported maximum length: 38 cm — up to about the length of a guitar. Maximum is not the same as typical adult size.

Field note: color, size, and markings can change with age, sex, season, depth, and lighting. Use several traits together.

Place and pattern

Where it lives—and how it behaves

Habitat and range

This species is associated with reef habitat across Pacific. Reef crevices provide shelter while current, coral, algae, and neighboring animals supply food.

Behavior

Uses reef habitat for feeding, shelter, migration, or reproduction.

Food-web connections

What it eats and why it matters

Diet

A species-specific mix of plant material, plankton, invertebrates, or other fish.

Ecological role

Its feeding helps shape the balance among algae, coral, invertebrates, and other reef fish..

Remember

One fact worth keeping

Poisson scorpion peut atteindre environ 38 cm et vit souvent près de Récif.

Think like a conservationist

A conservation lens

Reef fish are affected by coral loss, warming, destructive fishing, pollution, and the removal of key grazers or predators.

This habitat lens is not a current population-status assessment. Status can differ among regions and change as new assessments are published; follow the reference links and local fisheries or wildlife agencies for current decisions.

Recall

Quick knowledge check

Which habitat is most closely associated with Lionfish in this guide?

Keep exploring

References and further reading

Fishdle summarizes stable identification and ecology concepts in plain language. Taxonomy and population knowledge continue to change, so use primary assessments and regional authorities for conservation or management decisions.

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