What do lionfish look like?

Lionfish are striking and easily recognizable fish with a number of distinctive features:

General Appearance:

* Elongated body: They are about 12 inches long on average, with a long, slender body.

* Large, fan-like pectoral fins: These are the most noticeable feature. They are long and wide, resembling wings, and have numerous spiny rays.

* Venomous spines: The spines along the dorsal, pelvic, and anal fins are venomous.

* Striking color patterns: They have bold, contrasting bands of white, orange, red, brown, or black. The pattern varies slightly between individuals.

Specific Features:

* Large, prominent eyes: Lionfish have eyes that are large relative to their body size.

* Small, delicate mouth: Their mouths are relatively small, with thin lips and a protruding lower jaw.

* Thin, scaly skin: Their skin is covered in small, overlapping scales.

* No scales on the fins: Unlike many fish, lionfish do not have scales on their fins.

Important Note: While their striking appearance may be tempting to touch, remember that the spines are venomous and can deliver a painful sting.