Clearfin lionfish facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Clearfin lionfish |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Pterois
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| Species: |
radiata
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The clearfin lionfish (Pterois radiata) is a cool fish with venomous spines. It's also known as the tailbar lionfish or fireworks fish. This fish lives in the Indian and western Pacific Oceans. It's special because it's the only lionfish that has clear spines without any patterns. You can also spot it by the two white stripes on its tail area.
What Does It Look Like?
The clearfin lionfish usually grows to about 20 centimeters (8 inches) long. Some can even reach 24 centimeters (9.4 inches).
Its top fin, called the dorsal fin, has 12 or 13 long, venomous spines. It also has 10 to 12 soft rays. The fin underneath, called the anal fin, has three spines and five or six soft rays.
The clearfin lionfish has large pectoral fins that spread out like wings. These fins are clear and don't have any bands or stripes. All its other fins are also colorless. The fish's body is reddish-brown with about six dark stripes going up and down. Thin white lines separate these dark stripes. Two clear white lines on its tail fin area help tell it apart from other lionfish.
Where Does It Live?
Clearfin lionfish are found in the western Indo-Pacific region. This area stretches from South Africa and the Red Sea all the way to Indonesia. You can also find them near the Society Islands, the Ryukyu Islands, northern Australia, and New Caledonia.
They like to live on rocky reefs, both close to shore and further out in the ocean. They can be found at depths of up to 25 meters (82 feet). Sometimes, young clearfin lionfish are seen in tide pools near the coast.
What Does It Do?
This fish is mostly active at night. During the day, it likes to hide. It will find shelter in cracks in rocks, small caves, or under rocky ledges. When night comes, it swims out to hunt for food. Its favorite meals are small sea creatures like crabs and shrimps.
See Also
- In Spanish: Pez león para niños
