The World of Lionfish!
Casey Wong
The World of Lionfish!
Table of Contents Introduction ---------------------------------------------- Page 1 Physical Features ----------------------------------- Pages 2, 3 Habitat ------------------------------------------------ Pages 4, 5 Diet ---------------------------------------------------- Pages 6, 7 Mating and Babies --------------------------------- Pages 8, 9 Glossary ------------------------------------------------- Page 10 References ----------------------------------------------- Page 11 About the Author ------------------------------------- Page 12
For my Family and Friends
Introduction
Lionfish is a really popular fish in the ocean. It s science name is pterois. It can also be called firefish, turkeyfish and zebrafish. The life span of a lionfish is around 15 years. Lionfish has a really painful sting and it may be deadly to humans and other fish. Lionfish has around a dozen species that is known. It resembles a lion s mane so it was named lionfish. It is also a very popular aquarium fish. Some countries eat lionfish and they are known as a delicacy. Lionfish is really interesting fish!
Physical Features Lionfish look unique in different ways. Lionfish are marine fish that are red, brown and white. They are striped like zebras but in three different colors. Even their faces are striped. Females have white spots on their bodies. Common lionfish have 11 dorsal spines and 7 anal fin spines. They have fleshy filaments above their eyes and below their mouths. Lionfish are really special-looking fish.
A diagram of a lionďŹ sh
Big and Small
This lionfish is 14 inches long.
Lionfish can be big and small. It can be from 11.8 to 15 inches long or 30 to 38 cm long. It may look heavy but lionfish are actually only about 1.2 kg or 2.6 pounds. A lionfish’s sting can cause death to other fish and if would be very painful for humans. Lionfish can be as beautiful as they are poisonous.
Habitat Where lionfish live
Lionfish are found in lots of ocean areas. Lionfish are seen near coastal waters and in lagoons. In the ocean, they live in reefs and corals. They are native throughout the South Pacific and Indian Ocean. Where there are rocks, there are lionfish. Lionfish live in lots of different places.
Lionfish are living all over the world. They hide under rocks and in holes. Lionfish live in warm waters so there are a lot of small fish to eat. They live from 10 to 175 meters down from the surface of the water. Lionfish are picky to where they live.
This is a photo of a red lionďŹ sh
Diet
This is the close up of a yellowtail snapper
Lionfish are really flexible eaters. ey eat at least 40 species of fish. ey mostly eat the nassau grouper and the yellowtail snapper. Scientists have found small fish in the lionfish stomachs. Lionfish are special eaters.
Hunting Lionfish are skillful hunters. They hunt actively during 7:00 am to 11:00 am. Scientists found out not a lot of them hunt in the afternoon. They use their swim bladder muscles to move and alter their center of gravity. Once they find their prey, they blow water at their prey to disorient them. Then, they spread their pectoral fins and swallow them in one motion. Lionfish are really sneaky hunters.
This is a nassau grouper that a lionfish eats and yellowtail snappers in the background
Mating These are two lionfish are mating
Lionfish mate in unique ways. Females turn paler and males turn darker when they are ready to mate. When they are ready, the males form groups and the males let up to 8 females join his group. Other males come and they become jealous so the males fight to see who the females belong to. Lionfish have a lot of steps to take until they can mate.
Babies and Eggs
This is a picture of lionfish eggs
Lionfish babies are being born all over the South Pacific and Indian Ocean. Females give birth to 2,000 to 15,000 eggs a time. The lionfish parents hide and let the eggs float up to the surface before the predators eat the eggs. The males release fertilize for their eggs. But, most fries, baby lionfish, get eaten by the predators before they are mature adults. Baby lionfish are really unlucky.
Glossary Fleshy - Plump, soft and thick Filaments - A slender threadlike object Lagoon - Something like a lake but filled with salt water Problematic - A difficulty an area has Nassau Grouper - It is a type of fish lionfish eat and it is in great danger Swim Bladder Muscles - A muscle most fish has an helps them swim Alter - Adjust and adapt Paler - Getting lighter Fertilize - cause an egg to develop a new individual by introducing male reproductive material.
References http://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/nonnatives/marine-species/ lionfish/ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pterois http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/fish/lionfish/ http://www.buzzle.com/articles/lionfish-habitat.html http://a-z-animals.com/animals/lionfish/ http://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/nonnatives/marine-species/ lionfish/
About the Author Hi! My name is Casey and I am in fifth grade. This is the first nonfiction book I wrote but I have wrote other nonfiction articles. I wrote a few other stories and I hope you enjoy them!
The World of Lionfish! The World of Lionfish is a book all about a lionfish. From a baby to a mature adult, from diet to habitat. After reading this book you will feel much more comfortable with the facts of lionfish. Even if you are scared of one, you can still learn about one!
Read this book to learn about me!