King of the Atlantic
This slider was used for Smile on Saturday theme: Needles or Spines. Original picture taken through glass was dull and lackluster. Sliders brought out the beauty of this fish. See original:
www.flickr.com/photos/dionepsoc/54112711959/in/album-7217...
Taken at the Audubon Aquarium in New Orleans (new upload).
"Lionfish have fleshy tentacles above their eyes and below the mouth; fan-like pectoral fins; long, separated dorsal spines; 13 dorsal spines; 10-11 dorsal soft rays; 3 anal spines; and 6-7 anal soft rays."
Lionfish are considered an invasive species in the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean where they have no known predators. Unlike the Pacific Ocean where their enemies are sharks, tiger grouper, eels, cornetfish, and scorpionfish.
They are carnivorous and eat native herbivore fish which in turn leads to algae on coral reefs growing unabated.
"Their venomous spines can deliver a painful sting that can last for days. The sting can cause sweating, respiratory distress, and even paralysis."
Moral of the story: Don't mess with a Lionfish!
But Happy Smile on Saturday!
Theme: Needles or Spines
King of the Atlantic
This slider was used for Smile on Saturday theme: Needles or Spines. Original picture taken through glass was dull and lackluster. Sliders brought out the beauty of this fish. See original:
www.flickr.com/photos/dionepsoc/54112711959/in/album-7217...
Taken at the Audubon Aquarium in New Orleans (new upload).
"Lionfish have fleshy tentacles above their eyes and below the mouth; fan-like pectoral fins; long, separated dorsal spines; 13 dorsal spines; 10-11 dorsal soft rays; 3 anal spines; and 6-7 anal soft rays."
Lionfish are considered an invasive species in the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean where they have no known predators. Unlike the Pacific Ocean where their enemies are sharks, tiger grouper, eels, cornetfish, and scorpionfish.
They are carnivorous and eat native herbivore fish which in turn leads to algae on coral reefs growing unabated.
"Their venomous spines can deliver a painful sting that can last for days. The sting can cause sweating, respiratory distress, and even paralysis."
Moral of the story: Don't mess with a Lionfish!
But Happy Smile on Saturday!
Theme: Needles or Spines