Lionfish Dendriochrius barberi

Lionfish Dendriochrius barberi are uncommon and can be found in the tropical waters of the Pacific Ocean near the Hawaiian... more

by Karon Melillo DeVega

Title

Lionfish Dendriochrius barberi

Artist

Karon Melillo DeVega

Medium

Photograph

Description

Lionfish Dendriochrius barberi are uncommon and can be found in the tropical waters of the Pacific Ocean near the Hawaiian islands.
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"Lionfish are members of the scorpionfish family (Scorpaenidae) and, in particular, the subfamily Pteroinae. There are 5 genera and approximately 16 individual species in the taxon, with two of these genera and 11 of the species common in the saltwater hobby (Eschmeyer, 1986). The two genera available to hobbyists are Pterois and Dendrochirus; these fish are easily identified by both the adult size of the fish and the shape of their beautiful pectoral fins. In Dendriochirus lionfish, the pectoral rays do not reach the base of the caudal peduncle, and, in general, the fin rays are branched and form a solid fan shape by a connecting membrane that spans each fin ray. Pterois lionfish have elongated fins reaching well past the tail, with many fin rays individually sheathed in a long flowing membrane."
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"Lionfish are dawn/dusk predators and will spend much of their time during the day lounging and hiding. This is the dwarf lionfish Dendriochrius barberi readily identified by its glowing red eyes (unlike most Dendrochirus brachypterus that possess blue eyes).
(quote: reefkeeping.com - T-T-Trigger)
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Photographed at the Maui Ocean Center,
Maui, Hawai'i

Canon EOS 50D

© Karon Melillo DeVega
All rights reserved

Uploaded

April 9th, 2013