The red lionfish (Pterois volitans) is a venomous coral reef fish in the family Scorpaenidae of the order Scorpaeniformes. It is mainly native to the Indo-Pacific region but has become an invasive species in the Caribbean Sea as well as along the East Coast of the United States and East Mediterranean and also found in Brazil at Fernando de Noronha.
P. volitans and a similar relative, Pterois miles, have both been deemed invasive species. Red lionfish are clad in white stripes alternated with red/maroon/brown stripes. Adults in this species can grow as large as 47 cm (18.5 in) in length, making it one of the largest species of lionfish in the ocean. While juveniles are typically shorter than 1 inch (2.5 cm). The average red lionfish lives around 10 years. As with many species within the family Scorpaenidae. It has large venomous spines that protrude from the body, similar to a mane which gives it the common name lionfish. The venomous spines make the fish inedible or deter most potential predators. Lionfish reproduce monthly and are able to quickly disperse during their larval stage for expansion of their invasive region. No definitive predators of the lionfish are known. Many organizations are promoting the harvest and consumption of lionfish in efforts to prevent further increase in the high population densities.