The Raggedfin Lionfish (Pterois antennata) is also called the Spotfin Lionfish. It is a tropical marine (saltwater) fish.

The Raggedfin Lionfish is reddish-brown with white and darker vertical bands on its body. It also has dark spots on its median fins, three dark-brown bars on its head, and an oblique bar through its eyes ending in a large spot on the lower gill cover. It has long, banded tentacles above each eye, and blue-black markings near the base of its fan-like pectoral fins.

Raggedfin Lionfish

It measures about 20 centimetres (8 inches) long.

It is nocturnal, active at night. During the day, it hides under rocks. It eats crabs, shrimps, and small fish at night.

The Raggedfin Lionfish has venomous spines running through its dorsal fins, which inflict a painful sting.

The Raggedfin Lionfish is native to the Indian Ocean and the Indo-Pacific. It is common along the Australian coastline in the western, eastern, and northern areas of the country where the waters are warm. It prefers reefs and lagoons.

Raggedfin Lionfish

Raggedfin Lionfish

Raggedfin Lionfish

Raggedfin Lionfish

Photographer: Martina Nicolls

Martina Nicolls: SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM