Pterois volitans and Pterois miles: Two Valid Species

Lionfish (Pterois volitans/miles complex) are native to tropical coral reefs and range from the southern Indian Ocean, east to Sumatra and throughout the Indo-West Pacific from southern Japan to central Australia.

“Lionfish (Pterois volitans/miles complex 1 ) are native to tropical coral reefs and range from the southern Indian Ocean, east to Sumatra and throughout the Indo-West Pacific from southern Japan to central Australia (Schultz 1986).”

Lionfish are typically found from shore (0 m) to approximately 50 m.

“They are typically found from shore (0 m) to approximately 50 m (Schultz 1986).”

The southern limit of lionfish is unlikely to be controlled by thermal limitation at high temperatures.

“An alternative is that the southern limit is controlled by thermal limitation at high temperatures, but this is unlikely owing to the cross-equatorial distribution of lionfish in their native range (Schultz 1986).”

The distribution of lionfish in the western Pacific and Indian Oceans extends across nearly 70° of latitude (roughly 35° S to 35° N).

“The distribution of lionfish in the western Pacific and Indian Oceans extends across nearly 70° of latitude (roughly 35° S to 35° N; Schultz 1986, Golani & Sonin 1992)”

Lionfish are reported from shore (0 m) to 50 m in their native range.

“Lionfish are reported from shore (0 m) to 50 m in their native range (Schultz 1986).”

In their native range, lionfish are distributed on continental shelves adjacent to western boundary currents in both the northern and southern hemispheres.

“Additionally, in their native range, lionfish are distributed on continental shelves adjacent to western boundary currents in both the northern and southern hemispheres (Schultz 1986)”