Butterfly cod. Scientific Name:Pterois volitans Linnaeus

Description on butterfly cod:
· Butterfly cod has number of common names zebra fish, fire cod, lion fish. Volitans lionfish, red firefish, common lion fish.
· The butterfly cod is more common in shallow waters around the coral reefs of northern, tropical waters.
· It grows to a length of 37 centimeters
· The butterfly cod usually rests motionless on the bottom until a small fish comes near. It then spreads its fins like a net to drive the fish into a suitable position for attack.

Distribution:
widespread Indo-central Pacific, northern Australia, southern WA to southern NSW
Family :
Scorpaenidae - scorpionfish

Physical Description
Butterfly cod are recognized with their long, bright, feather-like fins and distinctive red, maroon and white stripes. Fleshy tentacles will be found near the eyes and mouths. Most species display an excellent ability to camouflage themselves by changing color when alarmed. The lionfish can reach over a foot in length.
Size/Age/Growth
Males have larger heads than females and their pectoral fins are longer.
Length: 37 cm (15 in)

Habitation
They usually Hides in unexposed places at daytime often with head down and practically immobile .Inhabits mere and seaward reefs from turbid inshore areas to depths of 50 m. typically found in water with a depth of 0 to -6,737 meters (0 to -22,103 feet). The butterfly cod usually rests motionless on the bottom until a small fish comes near. It then spreads its fins like a net to drive the fish into a suitable position for attack.

Diet
As normal they hunt at night for small fish, shrimp and crab.

Reproduction
The mating ritual begins when the male visits receptive females. Male lionfish initiate courtship and spawning shortly before dark. After mating, female then releases two egg balls that the male fertilizes. The egg hatches in time of 36 hours. The larvae measure just over 1 mm at hatching. They begin feeding four or five days later, when they are about 2 mm in length.

Venomous:
The spines of the Fish are venomous and if we get pricked it may be fairly painful and we must probably seek medical attention.

“A butterfly cod is a beautiful fish enlightening the beautiful form of its pectral and dorsal fins”.