English Name: Clearfin lionfish, Clearfin turkeyfish
Family: SCORPAENIDAE
Local Name: Hulhu fanhaamas
Order: Scorpaeniiformes
Size: Max. 20 cm
Specimen: MRS/0099/87
Distinctive Characters: Dorsal fin with 12-13 spines and 11 rays. Anal fin with 3 spines and 5-6 rays. Pectoral fin with 16 rays. Pectoral fin rays very long, reaching well beyond caudal fin base, more than half their length free of membrane. Tentacle over eye without frills or dark cross bands.
Colour: Reddish to brownish, with about 5-6 broad dark bars on body, separated by pale lines. No dark spots on fins.
Habitat and Biology: Benthic, in shallow waters to a depth of about 30 m. A shy and nocturnal species. Feeds mainly on crabs and shrimps.
Distribution: Indo-Pacific.
Remarks: Pterois radiata is easily recognisedby the pair of horizontal white lines along the caudal peduncle. As with other lionfishes, the dorsal fin spines extremely venomous. A popular aquarium fish.