lionfish

Everyday

A lionfish is a striped red, brown and white sea fish with long fan-like fins and venomous spines. tree →

In the lessons

In science lessons, the lionfish lives on coral reefs in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. Its stripes warn predators. It has spread into the Atlantic and Caribbean, where it is an invasive species eating many small fish, so divers catch it. In safety, its spines give a very painful sting. It is also eaten as food in some places.

Examples

• The lionfish has long, spiky fins. tree →
• A lionfish sting is very painful. tree →
• Lionfish are invasive in the Caribbean. tree →
• Divers catch lionfish to protect the reef. tree →
• The lionfish's stripes warn other animals to stay away. tree →
• We saw a lionfish in the aquarium. tree →

Note

Plural is usually lionfish. It is venomous (it stings), not poisonous to touch the flesh; cooked properly it can be eaten. One word.