Scorpionfishes: Lionfishes & Much More for Marine Aquariums Diversity, Selection & Care New eBook on Amazon: Available here New Print Book on Create Space: Available here by Robert (Bob) Fenner

I.d please!!! Scorpaeniform, Scorpaenid... but not a Stone      11/29/13 Good Day! I picked up this fellow from my Lfs , They said it was a stonefish <Mmm; no; but related; as you state below> but I originally thought it was a scorpion of some type (that's why I bought it..though it doesn't bother me either way) I have only come across one stonefish and I don't remember it looking like this . Please let me know what you think it is.(and no..he's not living in that container I just put him in for pictures) Thank you -M <Take a look here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/scorpaeninae.htm Bob Fenner>

Re: I.d please!!!      11/29/13 Thank you for the speedy response! I went over the link you put, but can't figure out which one it is as there are a few similar . <Likely a small specimen of a Scorpaenopsis sp.> I am wondering if there is any way of making a positive i.d. On which one it is so I know how big it will get ect. <... no such word. Etc. is a contraction for et cetera res>  or if you would happen to know which one it is? Thanks again, -M <Welcome. BobF>

Lionfish Questions 11/4/08 Good day kind sir J <Hello there Barry.> 2 questions to make it simple. <Okay.> Question 1. Pls ref to the images Lionfish1a.jpg and Lionfish1b.jpg. His name is Elvis. He seems to have a little bump right between those 2 pointy stubs on his nose, sorta like a zit we humans have. He's been acting fine and still hovers around like a policeman everyday. Perhaps it's a little clearer in lionfish1b.jpg that is a little reddish. My water conditions are fine with Nitrates hovering around the 5 - 10ppm range (more in the 5ppm), no nitrites or ammonia. He's not stressed and he's the king of the tank, 250 gallons and apart from a grouper and another lionfish (which I will ask about in the next question), there anything else in the tank except for 3 turbo snails and 1 cushion starfish. Could you say if the bump is a cause for worry? <Looks like a normal lionfish nose to me.> Question 2. Pls ref. to image Lionfish2. He's a new addition after a long and hard consideration. Very healthy after putting him into the tank and he does his batman thing hanging upside down and comes out for food. <How fun.> Problem is, I know he's a lionfish and gets along fine with Elvis but I can't seem to find precise information on its exact species. He seems to be a Volitan but he's really red with little white, and has long fins that makes me wonder if it's a radiate or antenneta. <I would say Pterois volitans, neat color.> Can you advise? Barry? <Scott V.> Lionfish Questions 11/4/08 Thanks Scott V. <Welcome.> And would Elvis (the 1st lion) also be a volitan? <Yep, quite the Turkeyfish!>

Scorpionfish ID 6/6/05 Hello, I have found a picture of a fish on the internet and after seeing it (the fish seem to be identical) in my local fish store I would like to know more, in the LFS it has been sold as a scorpion fish.  However the picture has been labeled as a Richardsonichthys leucogaster or white-faced wasp fish.  However after looking at other pictures of white faced wasp fish I believe that the picture has been misidentified/mislabeled.  I will attach the picture and I was hoping you could Identify it. <From what I could find, I agree that this ID is doubtful, although it is some kind of scorpionfish.> It does display a pair of wrigglers that are not very apparent in the picture.  I would really like to know what kind of fish that it is.  I thought that perhaps it could possibly be a Parascorpaena aurita or a Bull rout (Notesthes robusta).  It is extremely similar to the picture involved but of a lighter mottled colour. If you can't identify it, are there certain characteristics that would clarify the species?  I can get further pictures if required.  Thank you very much for your assistance.  Rob.  <An exact ID would be difficult, but is probably not necessary.  This fish is an ambush gulping predator.  As a general rule, these fish require species tanks or tank mates that cannot be eaten, but are also fairly peaceful (a rare combo!)  The inactive habits of these fish make them uninteresting to most aquarists.  Many of the fishes in this group have venomous spines, and as such must be handled with great care.  If you do have an interest in keeping this fish, do read up on the general requirements for the group and provide accordingly.  Best Regards.  AdamC.>
Fish Identification Follow-up 05/07/2005 Hello, <SUP> primarily thank you for your quick response to last query that concern a scorpionfish identification from a mislabeled picture and found in LFS.  I am not sure but I think I found the species by mistake, the species appears to be a scorpionfish mimic/false scorpionfish (Centrogenys vaigiens).  I just thought you might want to know.  As it took me ages to locate and identify. <Excellent.. Thanks for the info.. EricS>

Scientists Warn of Poisonous Lionfish Off Florida St. Petersburg, Fla. (Reuters) - After the "summer of the shark," a new danger is lurking in Florida waters -- the exotic yet venomous lionfish. Scientists at the Florida Marine Research Institute of St. Petersburg confirmed the presence of the spiny fish, which ranges from 6 to 12 inches, off the Florida coast. Several specimens of the fish were found off the eastern Florida coast, they said in a statement on Saturday. The lionfish's needlelike spines pack a painful -- sometimes deadly -- punch for those who get too close. Rumors of Florida sightings of the lionfish, a native of the south Pacific that resides from the coast of Australia to Malaysia, have circulated for years. Scientists now believe lionfish live in a stretch of coast from southern Florida to the Carolinas. "Dorsal, anal and pelvic spines of this fish are venomous and may cause severe local pain, numbness, paralysis, respiratory illness and, in rare cases, death," the research institute said. Lionfish, which are popular with exotic fish collectors because of their red and purple colors, aren't aggressive. Their spines are used for self-defense. Several shark attacks in Florida waters last year, including one instance of a young boy whose ripped-off arm was reattached by surgeons, sparked a media frenzy over frequent brush-ins with sharks off the Florida coast. James W. Fatherree, M.S. <Unbelievable... where is the integrity in the sciences? What/which species is/are these? Who would let go exotics off of Florida? Bob F>

Lionfish Off Of Florida Hello Bob (& Anthony, Steven), I was reading through the daily Q&A today and noticed an email titled "Scientists Warn Of Poisonous Lionfish Off Of Florida" St Petersburg, Fla. (Reuters). I have been doing research on Pterois volitans recently. Specifically I was looking up their native range through a search on Google, when I came across an interesting note documenting nonindigenous occurrences; "Approximately six individuals escaped a marine aquarium located near a sea wall overlooking Biscayne Bay, Florida, during Hurricane Andrew in August 1992. They were seen nearby, alive, several days later (Courtenay 1995). The impact of introduction is unknown." <Well, I'll be danged!> This document states the means of introduction to Florida is due to aquarium release. Unfortunately the small excerpt above is the only part of the document that I found of interest and saved. I thought you might find this interesting in light of the previous email you received. Miki <Amazing. Thanks Mikster. Bob F>  

Scorpionfishes: Lionfishes & Much More for Marine Aquariums Diversity, Selection & Care New eBook on Amazon: Available here New Print Book on Create Space: Available here by Robert (Bob) Fenner