Lionfish Gallery

Red lionfish, Pterois volitans

Red lionfish, Pterois volitans.. Illustration drawn and engraved by Richard Polydore Nodder. Handcolored copperplate engraving from George Shaw and Frederick Nodder's The Naturalist's Miscellany, London, 1800

© Florilegius / Mary Evans

Copperplate, Engraving, Fredericknodder, Georgeshaw, Handcolored, Historical, History, Naturalhistory, Pteroisvolitans, Redlionfish, Richardpolydorenodder, Thenaturalistsmiscellany, Zoology

Broadbarred firefish (Pterois antennata)

Broadbarred firefish (Pterois antennata), venomous dorsal spines that can inflict an extremely painful sting. The fish uses its fan-like pectoral fins to herd and capture prey. Is not aggressive, but may act if threatened. Anilao, Manila, Philippines

© Mark Spencer/AUSCAPE All rights reserved

Actinopterygii, Animal, Animals, Australian, Butterfly Cod, Caprimulgidae, Colourful, Dangerous, Deadly, Fauna, Fish, Great Barrier Reef, Indo Pacific, Marine Life, Poisonous, Pterois, Ragged Finned Firefish, Ragged Finned Scorpionfish, Reef Life, Rockfish, Scorpaeniformes, Sea Life, Spine, Spotfin Lionfish, Stinging, Toxic, Underwater, Venomous, Vibrant Colour, Wildlife

Mimic octopus (Thaumoctopus mimicus)

Mimic octopus (Thaumoctopus mimicus), a long-armed octopus that lives in sand and mud flats in shallow waters. It feeds on crustaceans and fish that live buried in the sand or mud. It remains buried at night and is active feeding during the day. The octopus has the ability to impersonate the shape and behaviour of other animals, particularly poisonous animals that share the same habitat, such as lionfish and sea snakes. Discovered 1998.. Anilao, Manila, Philippines

© Mark Spencer/AUSCAPE All rights reserved