What's the difference between these two lionfish?
- Thread starter Cartman89
- Start date
BoomerD
Well-Known Member
From WWM:
"Pterois lunulata Temminck & Schlegel 1843 , the Luna Lion, is too often mis-offered in stores as 'red volitans'. Luna lions lack the beautiful head flaps on the supraorbital bones, and have more rounded, less angular heads than volitans lions. Look closely at the two; most Luna pectoral rays are connected by a web of tissue about two-thirds of their length; volitans almost totally lack this webbing. P. lunulata are typically rusty red-brown against a creamy background; occasionally specimens are offered that bear gorgeous bluish-green color at the tips of their unpaired fins. Indo-Pacific"
Pterois volitans ("Tare-oh-ease vawl-it-tanz) (Linnaeus 1758), is the Lionfish to most folks. It is the most commonly displayed and sold member of the family; the quintessential marine aquarium specimen, with it's long flowing pectoral and dorsal fin rays. Volitans lions span the color range of banded red to black against alternating creamy white. Yes, black and red volitans lions are the same species. These images from the Red Sea."
And, from Fishbase.org:
http://www.fishbase.org/Summary/SpeciesSummary.php?id=13132
Pterois lunulata
Luna lion fish
Japanese lionfish
"Has 13 pectoral rays and maybe confused with P. russellii. Median fish are almost clear, but become spotted in large adults. It is best identified by the pale-centered scales on the principal dark bands on the body forming a net-like pattern and V-like markings across the pectoral fin rays (Ref. 48635).
Biology: On rocky substrates in subtropical waters. Usually found on open substrates with remote outcrops of reef or soft-bottom substrates at moderate depths (Ref. 48635). Feeds on fish and crustaceans. Spines are venomous.
http://www.fishbase.org/Summary/SpeciesSummary.php?id=5195
Pterois volitans
Red lionfish
Common lionfish
"Pacific Ocean: Cocos-Keeling Islands and Western Australia (Ref. 27362) in the eastern Indian Ocean to the Marquesas and Oeno (Pitcairn group), north to southern Japan and southern Korea, south to Lord Howe Island, northern New Zealand, and the Austral Islands. Replaced by the very similar Pterois miles from the Red Sea to Sumatra.
Morphology: Dorsal spines (total): 13 - 13; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10 - 11; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 6 – 7. Scales cycloid (Ref. 37816). Variable in color, usually in relation to habitat. Coastal species generally darker, sometimes almost black in estuaries. Often with large tentacles above eyes (Ref. 48635).
Biology: Inhabits lagoon and seaward reefs from turbid inshore areas to depths of 50 m. Hides in unexposed places at daytime often with head down and practically immobile. Pelagic juveniles expatriate over great distances and the reason for their broad geographical range (Ref. 48635). Hunts small fishes, shrimps, and crabs at night, using its widespread pectorals trapping prey into a corner, stunning it and then swallowing it in one sweep. Dorsal spines are venomous; the sting can be treated by heating the afflicted part and application of corticoids (Ref. 5503). A popular table fish. "
"Pterois lunulata Temminck & Schlegel 1843 , the Luna Lion, is too often mis-offered in stores as 'red volitans'. Luna lions lack the beautiful head flaps on the supraorbital bones, and have more rounded, less angular heads than volitans lions. Look closely at the two; most Luna pectoral rays are connected by a web of tissue about two-thirds of their length; volitans almost totally lack this webbing. P. lunulata are typically rusty red-brown against a creamy background; occasionally specimens are offered that bear gorgeous bluish-green color at the tips of their unpaired fins. Indo-Pacific"
Pterois volitans ("Tare-oh-ease vawl-it-tanz) (Linnaeus 1758), is the Lionfish to most folks. It is the most commonly displayed and sold member of the family; the quintessential marine aquarium specimen, with it's long flowing pectoral and dorsal fin rays. Volitans lions span the color range of banded red to black against alternating creamy white. Yes, black and red volitans lions are the same species. These images from the Red Sea."
And, from Fishbase.org:
http://www.fishbase.org/Summary/SpeciesSummary.php?id=13132
Pterois lunulata
Luna lion fish
Japanese lionfish
"Has 13 pectoral rays and maybe confused with P. russellii. Median fish are almost clear, but become spotted in large adults. It is best identified by the pale-centered scales on the principal dark bands on the body forming a net-like pattern and V-like markings across the pectoral fin rays (Ref. 48635).
Biology: On rocky substrates in subtropical waters. Usually found on open substrates with remote outcrops of reef or soft-bottom substrates at moderate depths (Ref. 48635). Feeds on fish and crustaceans. Spines are venomous.
http://www.fishbase.org/Summary/SpeciesSummary.php?id=5195
Pterois volitans
Red lionfish
Common lionfish
"Pacific Ocean: Cocos-Keeling Islands and Western Australia (Ref. 27362) in the eastern Indian Ocean to the Marquesas and Oeno (Pitcairn group), north to southern Japan and southern Korea, south to Lord Howe Island, northern New Zealand, and the Austral Islands. Replaced by the very similar Pterois miles from the Red Sea to Sumatra.
Morphology: Dorsal spines (total): 13 - 13; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10 - 11; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 6 – 7. Scales cycloid (Ref. 37816). Variable in color, usually in relation to habitat. Coastal species generally darker, sometimes almost black in estuaries. Often with large tentacles above eyes (Ref. 48635).
Biology: Inhabits lagoon and seaward reefs from turbid inshore areas to depths of 50 m. Hides in unexposed places at daytime often with head down and practically immobile. Pelagic juveniles expatriate over great distances and the reason for their broad geographical range (Ref. 48635). Hunts small fishes, shrimps, and crabs at night, using its widespread pectorals trapping prey into a corner, stunning it and then swallowing it in one sweep. Dorsal spines are venomous; the sting can be treated by heating the afflicted part and application of corticoids (Ref. 5503). A popular table fish. "