Radial firefish (Pterois radiata)

Scientific name: Pterois radiata Cuvier, 1829

The Radial firefish (Pterois radiata) is a marine fish of the family Scorpaenidae.

Biology

Dorsal spines (total): 12 - 13; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-12; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 5 - 6. Reddish to brownish and with 5-6 broad dark bars on body separated by pale lines; horizontal dark area on caudal peduncle. Only species of Pterois that lacks markings between its vertical fin rays and has a pair of horizontal white stripes at base of its tail.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Pterois radiata
Family: Scorpaenidae (Scorpionfishes or rockfishes)
Order: Scorpaeniformes (Scorpionfishes and Flatheads)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 24.0
Common length: 20.0
Depth range: 1–30 m (3–98 ft)
Environment: Marine; reef-associated; depth range 1 - 30 m
Climate: Tropical
Distribution: Indo-Pacific: Red Sea to Sodwana Bay, South Africa and to the Society Islands, north to the Ryukyu Islands, south to New Caledonia. Records from the Mascarene Islands lack verification and are probably based on Pterois antennata.
Conservation status (IUCN): Not Evaluated
Threat to humans: Venomous
Uses: Fisheries: subsistence fisheries; aquarium: commercial
Resilience: Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)