Lionfish ID please

Cougra · 10-09-2004, 11:32 AM

Here are three photos of lionfish that I'm trying to ID. I know the ID that was posted at the LFS is wrong on a couple of them and I'm hoping you guys can help!

Cougra · 10-09-2004, 11:33 AM

Cougra · 10-09-2004, 11:33 AM

#3 (I think this is a red volitan however there is a lot of yellow on it's fins)

reefrunner · 10-09-2004, 11:58 AM

The first looks like a small Pterois antennata (spot fin lion), to me, although an unhappy one.
The second, looks like Dendrochirus zebra (dwarf lion, aka zebra lion).
The third looks like a Pterois volitans (Volitan lion), if I had to specify I'd say a black lion, but their all really the same...color morphs are common, but it's still a Volitan.

Cougra · 10-09-2004, 12:04 PM

No, I agree the lionfish don't look too happy. They just arrived at the LFS that day so they were extremely stressed, however I did have the opertunity to get a photo of them so I took it. I'm not sure how long they will be in the store so I didn't really want to wait for them to "get better" and potentially loose the chance for the photos.

Thanks for the ID's, I knew I could count on someone here to help out. I would tend to agree with the second and third ID, but the first one I have doubts about. The one in the picture doesn't have the horns on it's head, and I didn't see any signs of it being severely damaged at the LFS.

Maxx · 10-09-2004, 03:39 PM

Michelle,
I agree w/ ReefRunner on the ID's. One to realize w/ lions is that as they get older the antennas and longer flowing fins tend to shrink down. IMO one of the most beautiful lions is the Radiata. Pterois radiata
Here are some links to pics....
http://atlas.drpez.org/albux77
http://www.edge-of-reef.com/scorpeni...sradiataen.htm
in just searching the web for these I saw several instances where the radiata was mis- labled as an antennata. The easiest way to tell the difference is that the radiata has two longitudinal stripes just in front of the caudal fin, no other lion does.
The last link shows it pretty clearly.
Nick

Witfull · 10-09-2004, 05:04 PM

Zebra Lion

Dendrochirus zebra

and he looks to have a bacterial reation on his eyes...prolly from netting.

proud2bcanadian · 10-10-2004, 01:51 AM

Where those from eMarine? lol
Still haven't gone yet!

I went to the grand opening of Pet Cetera (Mavis @ Burnamthorpe) today.....

It was awful.
They had a yellow tang and a dogfaced puffer in one tank that was around 5g!!

Have a great holiday weekend Cougra... and all of the other Canadian's on the board!

Cougra · 10-10-2004, 09:45 AM

No they weren't from eMarine, they were from PJ's.

I hope that you have a safe and happy Thanksgiving as well.

10-09-2004, 11:58 AM	#4 (permalink)
reefrunner Contributing Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Cedar Key, FL Posts: 1,069 View Gallery Karma Komment	The first looks like a small Pterois antennata (spot fin lion), to me, although an unhappy one. The second, looks like Dendrochirus zebra (dwarf lion, aka zebra lion). The third looks like a Pterois volitans (Volitan lion), if I had to specify I'd say a black lion, but their all really the same...color morphs are common, but it's still a Volitan. __________________ Kevin Check out my gallery!

10-09-2004, 12:04 PM	#5 (permalink)
Cougra Dragon Moderator Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Toronto, ON Posts: 2,216 View Gallery Karma Komment	No, I agree the lionfish don't look too happy. They just arrived at the LFS that day so they were extremely stressed, however I did have the opertunity to get a photo of them so I took it. I'm not sure how long they will be in the store so I didn't really want to wait for them to "get better" and potentially loose the chance for the photos. Thanks for the ID's, I knew I could count on someone here to help out. I would tend to agree with the second and third ID, but the first one I have doubts about. The one in the picture doesn't have the horns on it's head, and I didn't see any signs of it being severely damaged at the LFS. __________________ Michelle Just because something CAN be done, it doesn't mean that it SHOULD be done! Last edited by Cougra : 10-09-2004 at 12:14 PM.

10-09-2004, 03:39 PM	#6 (permalink)
Maxx Manta Ray Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: St Louis Mo Posts: 3,079 View Gallery Karma Komment	Michelle, I agree w/ ReefRunner on the ID's. One to realize w/ lions is that as they get older the antennas and longer flowing fins tend to shrink down. IMO one of the most beautiful lions is the Radiata. Pterois radiata Here are some links to pics.... http://atlas.drpez.org/albux77 http://www.edge-of-reef.com/scorpeni...sradiataen.htm in just searching the web for these I saw several instances where the radiata was mis- labled as an antennata. The easiest way to tell the difference is that the radiata has two longitudinal stripes just in front of the caudal fin, no other lion does. The last link shows it pretty clearly. Nick __________________ "Chaos, confusion, despair...my work is done here." ...Some guy named Murphy.... A good friend will come and bail you out of jail...but, a true friend will be sitting next to you saying, "Damn...that was fun!" Reef Sanctuary Knowledgebase (Answers to all your questions and then some!)

10-10-2004, 01:51 AM	#8 (permalink)
proud2bcanadian Plate Coral Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 708 View Gallery Karma Komment	Where those from eMarine? lol Still haven't gone yet! I went to the grand opening of Pet Cetera (Mavis @ Burnamthorpe) today..... It was awful. They had a yellow tang and a dogfaced puffer in one tank that was around 5g!! Have a great holiday weekend Cougra... and all of the other Canadian's on the board! __________________ David Liles

10-10-2004, 09:45 AM	#9 (permalink)
Cougra Dragon Moderator Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Toronto, ON Posts: 2,216 View Gallery Karma Komment	No they weren't from eMarine, they were from PJ's. I hope that you have a safe and happy Thanksgiving as well. __________________ Michelle Just because something CAN be done, it doesn't mean that it SHOULD be done!

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