Shortfin lionfish (Dendrochirus brachypterus)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Dendrochirus brachypterus
- Common name
- Shortfin lionfish
- Category
- Fish
- Family
- Scorpaenidae
- Genus
- Dendrochirus
- Size
- 6–17 cm
- Depth
- 2–80 m
- IUCN status
- Least concern (LC)
- Danger level
- Venomous
- Habitats
- coral-reef, sand
- Behaviours
- solitary, predator, venomous
- Ocean zones
- Asian Pacific, Indian Ocean & Red Sea
Description
Dendrochirus brachypterus reaches 17 cm. Small Indo-Pacific lionfish with stocky brown-red to fawn-brown mottled body with small scattered white spots, short rounded pectoral fins (hence brachypterus, short wings). Venomous spines like all Scorpaenidae. Lives from 2 to 80 m on coral reefs and sandy bottoms of entire Indo-Pacific. More discreet and smaller than other Dendrochirus. Nocturnal ambush predator. Macro photo subject for less ostentatious Scorpaenidae enthusiasts.
Photo of Shortfin lionfish
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Shortfin lionfish?
- Shortfin lionfish (Dendrochirus brachypterus) reaches 6–17 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Shortfin lionfish?
- Shortfin lionfish is found between 2–80 m deep.
- Is the Shortfin lionfish dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Venomous.
- What is the conservation status of the Shortfin lionfish?
- IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
- Where can you find the Shortfin lionfish?
- Found in: Asian Pacific, Indian Ocean & Red Sea.
Other species in the genus Dendrochirus
Other species in the family Scorpaenidae
- Scorpaena scrofa - Red scorpionfish
- Pterois volitans - Red lionfish
- Pterois radiata - Clearfin lionfish
- Pterois antennata - Spotfin lionfish
- Pterois miles - Devil firefish
- Scorpaena mystes - Pacific scorpionfish
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 218052)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 2334536)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia