lionfish

li·on·fish

noun \ˈlī-ən-ˌfish\

Definition of LIONFISH

: any of several scorpaenid fishes (genus Pterois) of the Indian Ocean and the tropical Pacific that are brilliantly striped and barred with elongated fins and venomous dorsal spines

First Known Use of LIONFISH

circa 1907

Rhymes with LIONFISH

angelfish, anglerfish, archerfish, bony fish, butterfish, candlefish, cuttlefish, damselfish, devilfish, flying fish, guitarfish, jellyfish, John Bullish, ladyfish, lantern fish, microfiche, muttonfish, needlefish, overfish, paddlefish, parrot fish, pilot fish, puffer fish, rainbow fish, ribbonfish, silverfish, surgeonfish, triggerfish, zebra fish

lionfish

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Any of several species of showy Indo-Pacific fish of the scorpion-fish family (Scorpaenidae), noted for their venomous fin spines, which can inflict painful, though rarely fatal, puncture wounds. Lionfish have enlarged pectoral fins and elongated dorsal fin spines, and each species bears a particular pattern of bold stripes. When disturbed, the fish spread and display their fins, and, if further pressed, present and attack with the dorsal spines. Pterois volitans, sometimes kept by fish fanciers, is striped with red, brown, and white and grows to about 12 in. (30 cm) long. Several smaller Indo-Pacific species of the genus Dendrochirus are also known as lionfish.