Captured 8/3/11, on my third visit to the beautiful Aquarium of the Pacific, in beautiful Long Beach, California. Better viewed via ZOOM. One of the main reasons I endured another trip to the noisy Aquarium. Just a little more difficult to photograph than the Clown Triggerfish, otherwise these specimens were graciously accommodating while I was furiously clicking away. A total of 33 shots were taken, most of them coming out relatively well. ---------------- Pterois is a genus of venomous marine fish found mostly in the Indo-Pacific, known collectively as the lionfish. Pterois is characterized by red, white and black stripes, showy pectoral fins and venomous spiky tentacles. Pterois are classified into fifteen different species, but Pterois radiata, Pterois volitans and Pterois miles are the most commonly studied. Pterois are popular aquarium fish and are readily utilized in the culinary world. In the mid 1990s, the species P. volitans and P. miles were unintentionally introduced into the Atlantic Ocean and have become an invasive species along the East Coast of the United States. Pterois range in size from 6.2 to 42.4 cm with typical adults measuring 38 cm and weighing an average of 480 g. They are well known for their ornate beauty, venomous spines and unique tentacles. Juvenile lionfish have a unique tentacle located above their eye sockets that varies in phenotype between species. It is suggested that the evolution of this tentacle serves to continually attract new prey; studies also suggest that it plays a role in sexual selection. Lionfish are known for their venomous tentacles, a feature that is uncommon among marine fish in the East Coast coral reefs. The potency of their venom makes them excellent predators and dangerous to fishermen and divers. Pterois venom produced negative inotropic and chronotropic effects when tested in both frog and clam hearts and has a depressing effect on rabbit blood pressure. These results are thought to be due to nitric oxide release. In humans, Pterois venom can cause systemic effects such as vomiting, fever and sweating and has been lethal in a few cases. Source: Wikipedia free encyclopedia Incidentally, these were once known as Turkeyfish. Farvel, thankx for coming by, and for any and all favs and complimentary comments.