Spot-fin Lionfish

The Spot-fin Lionfish or Pterois antennata is a nocturnal hunter, most active just after nightfall, and spends the day hiding in crevices and caves facing inwards with its venomous spines pointing backwards. It preys mainly on crustaceans and small fishes, including juveniles of its own species, which are approached slowly using undulating fins.

They are normally solitary and protect a home range from other broad-barred lionfishes and other lionfish species. They do form aggregations as juveniles and for breeding. Pterois lionfishes spawn monthly, and the females can lay up to 15,000 eggs in a mass covered in mucus, which the males' sperm can penetrate to fertilize the eggs. The eggs are thought to hatch after 36 hours. Predators of this species include sharks and the cornet fish.