- Dendrochirus zebra
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Zebra turkeyfish 
Scientific classification Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Actinopterygii Order: Scorpaeniformes Family: Scorpaenidae Genus: Dendrochirus Species: D. zebra Binomial name Dendrochirus zebra
Cuvier, 1829The Zebra turkeyfish or Zebra lionfish, Dendrochirus zebra, is a carnivorous ray-finned fish with venomous spines that lives in the Indian and western Pacific oceans. However, lionfishes have been found in the Atlantic Ocean as well, up to the coast of New York. This range is most likely a result of aquarists releasing their pets into the wild. This member of the scorpion fish family has thirteen venomous spines along its back, used to defend itself. These spines are connected with a clear film. These fish are slow-moving and peaceful, but can be dangerous. They have a habit of resting in places hidden from light such as under a rock or a piece of coral. All lionfish are immune to each other's poison and all are solitary fish. Zebra Lionfish are found at depths down to only 60 meters. Despite their obvious advantage, zebra lionfish feed only on small crustaceans, and are in turn preyed upon by groupers.
The Zebra Turkeyfish is also mentioned in Animal Crossing : Wild World, for Nintendo DS and is fishable in Animal Crossing City Folk on Nintendo Wii.
Dendrochirus zebra
It reaches a maximum 24 cm and inhabits tropical waters.
References
- Froese, Rainer, and Daniel Pauly, eds. (2006). "Dendrochirus zebra" in FishBase. December 2006 version.
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