Pterois miles, the devil firefish or common lionfish, is a species of ray-finned fish native to the western Indo-Pacific region. It is frequently confused with its close relative, the red lionfish (Pterois volitans). The scientific name is from Greek pteron, meaning "wing", and Latin miles, meaning "soldier".

DESCRIPTION

• The common lionfish grows up to 35 cm (14 in) in length.

• The dorsal fin has 13 long, strong spines and 9-11 soft rays, and the anal fin has three long spines and six or seven soft rays.

• The dorsal fin appears feathery and the pectoral fins are wing-like with separate broad, smooth rays.

• These fish vary in colour from reddish to tan or grey and have numerous thin, dark, vertical bars on their heads and bodies.

• Its head is less angular than that of P. volitans.

BEHAVIOUR

• The common lionfish is mainly nocturnal and hides in crevices during the daytime.

• It feeds on fish and small crustaceans.

• It has few predators, probably because of its venomous spines, but larger lionfish do prey on smaller ones.

• Moray eels have shown resistance to the spines and it was reported that lion fish are included in their diet.

• The bluespotted cornetfish (Fistularia commersonii) has been shown to feed on it, as also do groupers in the Bahamas.

 DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT

• P. miles is native to the Indian Ocean, from the Red Sea, to South Africa, and to Indonesia.

• It is also now present off the east coast of the United States and in the Caribbean Sea where is regarded as an invasive species.

• It is very similar in appearance to P. volitans, which does not occur in the Red Sea.

• P. miles is usually found in areas with crevices or lagoons, often on the outer slopes of coral reefs.

• Moray eels have recently been identified as natural predators of P. miles in its native habitat in the Red Sea.Some grouper species and reef sharks are also its predators.

HAZARDS

The fin spines are highly venomous and have caused death to humans in some reported cases. Despite this, a sting from this species is rarely fatal to humans. Nevertheless, a sting can cause extreme pain, vomiting, convulsion, minor paralysis, and breathing difficulties.

REPRODUCTION

•  P. miles are gonochoristic; males and females exhibit minor sexual dimorphism only during reproduction.

• lionfish courtship, which includes circling, side winding, following, and leading, begins shortly before dark and extends well into nighttime hours.  Following the courtship phase, the female releases two buoyant egg masses that are fertilized by the male and ascend to the surface. 

• The eggs and later embryos are bound in adhesive mucus that disintegrates within a few days, after which the embryos and/or larvae become free floating.   P. miles exhibit cystovarian type ovaries with ooctyes developing on stalks or peduncles. 

• The oocytes are terminally positioned near the ovary wall, which secretes the encompassing mucus shortly before spawning. 

• The seasonality of lionfish reproduction throughout their native range is unknown. 

EARLY LIFE HISTORY AND DISPERSAL 

• Pteroine larvae are large head, relatively long and triangular snout, long and serrated head spines, robust pelvic spine, and pigment confined to the pectoral fins and postanal ventral and dorsal midlines.

• Pterois sp. meristic characters are reported as 12 - 13 dorsal spines, 9 - 12 dorsal rays, three anal spines, 5 - 8 anal rays, 12 - 18 pectoral rays, one pelvic spine, five pelvic rays, and 24 vertebrae.

• The size of P. miles larvae at hatching is approximately 1.5 mm.

• The specific planktonic larval duration estimated it to be between 25 to 40 days. Dispersal of lionfish presumably occurs during the pelagic larval phase during which larvae can be dispersed across great distances