The Pterois

The pterois, more commonly known as a lionfish or zebrafish, are a fairly common species of fish whose native residence is in the Indian and Pacific oceans.  Easily recognized by its unique pattern, it is commonly kept as an aquarium pet in many households.  The lionfish is actually venomous, which is an uncommon trait for fish in the eastern Atlantic.  While their venom is rarely fatal to healthy adults, it has been known to kill small children and the elderly.  However, they are not aggressive, and most incidents occur when a diver accidentally steps on or grabs one.  If prepared correctly, the lionfish is edible, and is quite common as a food in many cultures.  Lionfish can live up to fifteen years old and have a relatively simple mating ritual compared to some other species of fish.  Females release egg sacs containing about fifteen thousand eggs, which the males then fertilize as they swim by.  The lionfish has quite a diverse diet, feeding mainly on small fish, invertebrates, and mollusks.  The lionfish have very few natural predators, mainly due to its venomous fins and scary colors.  However, animals like the moray eel, bluespotted cornetfish, and large groupers are brave enough to feast on the lionfish,    However, due to many people keeping them as pets, they have recently been released into the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea, and are quickly becoming an invasive species, mainly due to their lack of predators.  If left unchecked, the lionfish can pose a threat to the diversity of reefs on the eastern coast.  Some groups have attempted to train sharks to eat lionfish in an effort to control their population, with little to no success.  Because lionfish can reproduce monthly, their populations are extremely difficult to control, thus they have rapidly spiraled out of control within the last decade.  Lionfish are extremely popular in aquariums, as they are easy to obtain and pretty to look at,  They are considered a very easy option for people who want to start a salt-water fish tank, because they are extremely low maintenance and are easy to take care of and feed.