Lion fish. Fish zebra. Photo, description

Among the bizarre rocks and intricately intertwined reefs of the Red Sea, intricately rugged by clefts and grottoes, a plentiful underwater living creature found itself a beautiful abode. On the rocks and reefs, which took the form of giant pillars and mushrooms, communities coexist, which include a variety of animals, shellfish and fish of the Red Sea. Photos show stunningly beautiful landscapes of his underwater world.

The coastal strip of the Red Sea, worn out with fabulously beautiful rocky-reef reliefs, stretched out at least 2000 kilometers. On its expanses settled about 200 varieties of corals, in countless numbers of sponges, jellyfish, starfish.

The richness of flora and fauna provided the sea with the immutable status of a natural world aquarium. There are in it dolphins, lionfish, sea turtles, sharks and other animals. In the kingdom of coral reefs dominate echinoderms, mammals, arthropods, coelenterates, bony and cartilaginous fish.

Lion fish

The area of this colorful representative of the bright coral world captures not only the tropical waters of the Red Sea. Its population perfectly feels among the reefs hidden by the Pacific waters. There are these colorful specimens in the Indian Ocean. Their home is coastal stripes stretching along Japan, China and Australia. Seen a lion fish in the Caribbean, next to Cuba, Haiti, the Cayman Islands and Florida.

origin of name

This fish, besides the founded name, has a couple of others. It is also called a lionfish, a zebra. Fish, rich in names, got them for a reason. Each reflects its characteristic features. The fins of the animal, assembled from mobile flexible tapes in the form of bright fans, while expanding, form a mane resembling a lion's. This feature became the reason for the name "lion fish".

The second name of the fish is due to a wide gray, brown and red stripes, decorated with its small body. Strips like a zebra - wonderful! Let's call the colorful predator "zebra fish". The third nickname, the most romantic, appeared due to the pectoral fins. Painfully they are similar in shape to the bird's wings. So the sea beauty and began to be called "fish-lionfish."

Description of zebra fish

The length of the lionfish does not exceed the range of 24-40 centimeters. The maximum weight of each of them does not exceed one and a half kilograms. Intensive coloring does not allow individuals to remain unnoticed even at decent depths. A bright body is given to them not accidentally. This is a kind of signal to other inhabitants of the sea, which reads: "Beware, we are poisonous".

The head of the fish with spines, slightly flattened at the sides, is disproportionately large relative to the body. Near the mouth, she has tentacles in the form of small leathery growths. Oral cavity large with oblique incision and velvety teeth. Fins are equipped with soft spiny rays, similar to ribbons. Pectoral fins thickened from below, rays absent. The lion does without a swim bladder.

Toxic fins

The threat lies in the chic fins. In them 18 sharp needles containing poisonous glands are hidden. Needles are spread out over the back, abdomen and near the luxurious tail. In the course of its weapons, the fish-winged fly, in the Red Sea and other places inhabiting, lets out, only after sensing the danger. If a person does not intend to approach it, and even more so touch it, there is practically no risk of getting a poisonous shot. The fish is more likely to retire than to attack.

The poison has a nerve-paralytic effect. The stabbed person needs help from outside, because there is a temporary paralysis that hampers movement in the water. In addition, he needs a doctor capable of neutralizing poison. Poisoning is very difficult to tolerate, even with proper medical care.

There were no fatalities from the injection of lionfish. However, this does not mean that someone is badly "unlucky." With hypersensitivity, poison can provoke a powerful allergy leading to death.

Master of disguise

To merge with corals for a bright fish is a matter of seconds. During the day, the lion fish is not inclined to activity. She, huddled in coral weaves, belly assimilates to the bottom, dissolves the magnificent fins, consisting of rays-processes, and freezes. In this state, it can not be distinguished from corals.

Hunt it starts at dusk. A lion is a predator. The basis of its nutrition - small fish, shrimp, crabs and shellfish.

Ways of hunting lionfish

Predator uses two methods of hunting. She long fins trying to drive the victim into a trap (usually in a gap formed by corals) and swiftly swallow it there. The second option of hunting is cunning. Fading, opening fins and gaping mouth, zebra fish is likened to colored algae, adjacent to coral reefs.

All small animals, dared to swim past the gaping mouth of the insidious predator, instantly turns into its prey. The glutton completely swallows its victims, not neglecting even the smaller tribesmen. However, she herself goes to dinner for larger hunter-walkers.

The habits of the fish-lionfish

A clever huntress-a lion fish-prefers solitude. She races fiercely to defend the chosen possessions. The lioness ruthlessly expels from them all competitors, including relatives. Males are prone to excessive aggression.

Predator quickly migrates. She is often met in an unusual habitat for her. Such migration causes serious concern among environmental scientists. These fish of the Red Sea, whose photos are unusual and colorful, are invasive.

Gluttonous predators, experiencing the heyday of a demographic explosion, are rapidly destroying young populations of indigenous animals that inhabit coral plantations. They severely knocked down the number of parrots, swallows and other small fish. Ichthyologists believe that complete confusion has befallen local individuals due to a lack of understanding of where the threat comes from.

Lion fish are very prolific. The female is able to sweep up to 30,000 eggs. After a few days, the larvae hatch. At first, food is served by plankton. Half and two centimeters pass to the bottom way of life.