English Name: Zebra lionfish
Family: SCORPAENIDAE
Local Name: Kanfaiykuda fanhaamas
Order: Scorpaeniformes
Size: Max. 20 cm Specimen: MRS/0l06/87
Distinctive Characters: Dorsal fin with 13 spines and 10- 11 rays. Anal fin with 3 spines and 6-7 rays. Pectoral fin with 17 rays. Pectoral fins only slightly longer than head; rays joined by membrane except for short tips; no filamentous rays on pectoral fin. Tentacles usually present above eyes.
Colour: Head and body with red brown bars alternating with narrower pink to whitish bars; most fins prominently striped or spotted. A dark brown or blackish blotch on lower edge of operculum.
Habitat and Biology: Usually seen in shallow waters particularly in lagoons down to depths of 35 m.
Distribution: Indo-Pacific.
Remarks: The genus I)endrochirus differs from Pterois by having the pectoral rays connected to each other almost to tips. Favoured by aquarists. Dorsal fin spines extremely venomous.