Dwarf lionfish (Dendrochirus brachypterus) is found in the western Pacific from Japan south to Australia. This is also found east to the Red Sea and the coast of eastern Africa. This is a small species rarely reaching 6 inches in length. It is quite unlike the other lion fish because the dorsal and pectoral fins are shorter than most lionfish, and they have protective growths attached to them.

Lionfish (Dendrochirus genus) contains an unusual group of fish with long spines on the dorsal fins and very large, yet fully formed, pectoral fins. The pectoral fins are frequently sharply marked. There are about 6 species found in both the Indian and Pacific Oceans. The spine tips can be very venemous. The following are frequently referenced:

Dendrochirus barberi - Hawaiian lionfish - Hawaii
Dendrochirus biocellatus - Ocellated lionfish - Japan to Australia
Dendrochirus brachypterus - Shortfin lionfish - Africa to Japan to Australia
Dendrochirus zebra - Zebra lionfish - Africa to Australia to Samoa
Dendrochirus species - Okinawa - See Burgess & Axelrod, Japan and Ryukyus

This genus is closely related to the Pterois genus. However, the Dendrochirus genus has fully formed pectoral fins, while those in the Pterois genus end in long spines..

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.

NEW SEARCH