Twinspot Lionfish
Dendrochirus biocellatus
The twinspot lionfish is quite the fashionista with its long thin mustache-like appendages and bright colored stripes. However, don’t get too close! Its spines can deliver a venomous sting.
SPECIES IN DETAIL
Twinspot Lionfish
Dendrochirus biocellatus
CONSERVATION STATUS: Safe for Now
CLIMATE CHANGE: Vulnerable
Geographic Distribution
These fish are native to the Pacific and Indian Oceans, but have wide distribution into the Indo-West Pacific area from the western Mascarene Islands to the Tuamotu Islands in the east.
Habitat
These fish live in shallow waters at depths from 1 to 40 meters (3 to 130 feet) in Indo-Pacific reefs.
Physical Characteristics
The twinspot lionfish is sometimes called a turkeyfish because its markings can resemble the feathers and colors of a turkey. They have very bright red-orange bodies with black smudges. Their large fan-like fins have red, black, and white stripes with the back half of their dorsal fin having two ocellae (eye spots): these eye spots earn the fishes’ name as the twinspot lionfish! The spines on their fins are extremely venomous—a common trait for scorpion fish, and their unique appendages at the front of their face are said to resemble a mustache.
Size
They are 13 centimeters (5.1 inches) long.
Diet
The twinspot lionfish are carnivores and eat small fish, crabs, and shrimp. When they prey on food, the fish move their dorsal fins and shake from side to side. This technique distracts the prey and corners it slowly before they strike in a sudden attack. The twinspot lionfish has a larger mouth than most other lionfish and swallows their prey whole.
Reproduction
The twinspot lionfish usually spawn in groups of one male and a few females termed a harem. The twinspot lionfish is oviparous, meaning that its mass of fertilized eggs floats near the surface of the water. The lionfish fry, once hatched, consume the dissolved gelatinous outer part of the egg.
Behavior
The twinspot lionfish spends much of their time hiding in caves and crevices (little holes) during the day. However, when angered, they become semi-aggressive fish with venom in their spines that cause very painful stings.
Adaptation
The twinspot may look very similar to other lionfish in form, but it is covered with vertical stripes of black, red, and white. Its fins have sharp spines that hold venom, and the front of its face has appendages that look like feelers or a mustache.
Longevity
These fish live between ten to fifteen years.
Conservation
Due to declining numbers of coral reefs, the twinspot lionfish may be impacted by habitat loss. However, the wide distribution (spread of species around the world) of this species lessens concern for them.
Special Notes
This lionfish sheds a layer of skin every few weeks which gives them advantages against parasites as well as a fresh, bright look.
SPECIES IN DETAIL | Print full entry
Twinspot Lionfish
Dendrochirus biocellatus
CONSERVATION STATUS: Safe for Now
CLIMATE CHANGE: Vulnerable
These fish are native to the Pacific and Indian Oceans, but have wide distribution into the Indo-West Pacific area from the western Mascarene Islands to the Tuamotu Islands in the east.
These fish live in shallow waters at depths from 1 to 40 meters (3 to 130 feet) in Indo-Pacific reefs.
The twinspot lionfish is sometimes called a turkeyfish because its markings can resemble the feathers and colors of a turkey. They have very bright red-orange bodies with black smudges. Their large fan-like fins have red, black, and white stripes with the back half of their dorsal fin having two ocellae (eye spots): these eye spots earn the fishes’ name as the twinspot lionfish! The spines on their fins are extremely venomous—a common trait for scorpion fish, and their unique appendages at the front of their face are said to resemble a mustache.
They are 13 centimeters (5.1 inches) long.
The twinspot lionfish are carnivores and eat small fish, crabs, and shrimp. When they prey on food, the fish move their dorsal fins and shake from side to side. This technique distracts the prey and corners it slowly before they strike in a sudden attack. The twinspot lionfish has a larger mouth than most other lionfish and swallows their prey whole.
The twinspot lionfish usually spawn in groups of one male and a few females termed a harem. The twinspot lionfish is oviparous, meaning that its mass of fertilized eggs floats near the surface of the water. The lionfish fry, once hatched, consume the dissolved gelatinous outer part of the egg.
The twinspot lionfish spends much of their time hiding in caves and crevices (little holes) during the day. However, when angered, they become semi-aggressive fish with venom in their spines that cause very painful stings.
The twinspot may look very similar to other lionfish in form, but it is covered with vertical stripes of black, red, and white. Its fins have sharp spines that hold venom, and the front of its face has appendages that look like feelers or a mustache.
These fish live between ten to fifteen years.
Due to declining numbers of coral reefs, the twinspot lionfish may be impacted by habitat loss. However, the wide distribution (spread of species around the world) of this species lessens concern for them.
This lionfish sheds a layer of skin every few weeks which gives them advantages against parasites as well as a fresh, bright look.