Spotfin Lionfish

Pterois is a genus of venomous marine fish found mostly in the Indo-Pacific, known collectively as the lionfish. Unfortunately, Pterois are popular aquarium fish and are readily utilized in the culinary worPterois is a genus of venomous marine fish found mostly in the Indo-Pacific, known collectively as the lionfish. Unfortunately, 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 StatIn 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.

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 casThe potency of their venom makes them excellent preda