Spotted lion fish or spot fin lionfish (Pterois antennata) is found from the central Pacific west to the coast of eastern Africa. This can grow to about 8 inches in length. The white tipped spines will help identify this brown species marked with pairs of white vertical lines.

Lionfish genus (Pterois) contains about 7 species of unusual fish with very long spines on both their pectoral and dorsal fins. The spine tips can be very venomous. The following species are frequently referenced:

Pterois antennata - Pacific and Indian Oceans - Spotfin Lionfish
Pterois lunulata - Japanese area
Pterois mombasae - Indian Ocean to New Guinea
Pterois radiata - Pacific and Indian Oceans - Clearfin
Pterois russelli - Primarily Indian Ocean - Plain Tail
Pterois sphex - Near Hawaii - Hawaiian
Pterois volitans - Pacific and Indian Oceans - Lionfish

The closely related genus, Dendrochirus, also contains closely related species also called lionfish. However, the members of the Dendrochirus genus usually have fully formed, yet very large, pectoral fins.

The scorpion fish (Family Scorpaenidae) are a group of about 300 species of marine fish. These fish generally have sharp spines on their front dorsal fin. Several species are important commercial and sport fish. There are about 80 species that are found in the vicinity of North America. Included in this group are the 60 species of rockfishes in the genus Sebastes found along the Pacific Coast of North America. The lionfish of the genus Pterois of the Indo-Australian region belong here also.

Scorpion fish (Order Scorpaeniformes) is a Marine order containing many bizarre kinds of fish. Many of the species have gigantic fins of great beauty which are tipped with poison stings.

Bony fish, Class Teleostomi, are a class of chordates that include the majority of fish-like animals found on earth. They are characterized by a bony jaw and a bony skeleton. They are found in both fresh and marine waters.

Backboned Animals (Phylum Chordata) are the most advanced group of animals on earth. These animals are characterized by having a spinal cord or backbone. Most members have a clearly defined brain that controls the organism through a spinal cord. Fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals are in this phylum.

Currently, some taxonomists believe that the fish should be divided into two groups (sharks and regular fishes) and that there are some other primitive groups in the phylum such as hagfish or lampreys.

Animal Kingdom contains numerous organisms that feed on other animals or plants. Included in the animal kingdom are the lower marine invertebrates such as sponges and corals, the jointed legged animals such as insects and spiders, and the backboned animals such as fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals.

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