Red lionfish

Biology

The red lionfish is one of the most spectacular fish in tropical waters. Its fins have long spiny rays, which have glands that contain venom capable of causing quite painful stings. This venom is a defence and it is only expelled when the spines are pressed. The red lionfish is a species that hunts at night and spends the day concealed between cracks under rocks and corals.

Curiosities

The red lionfish is an active hunter who ambushes its prey by using its outstretched, fan-like pectoral fins to slowly pursue and "corner" them, before swallowing it whole.