Coral Encrusted Lionfish
Pterois miles
Sighting evidence at IJNS Nagato, Bikini Atoll
Photo: Luis P. B. · CC BY-NC
Lionfish have thoroughly colonized the Nagato's overturned hull, hovering motionless against coral-encrusted steel in postures that render them virtually invisible until a small fish ventures too close. Their 13 venomous dorsal spines are among the most potent defenses of any reef fish, and they have no natural predators in this ecosystem, allowing populations to grow until the wreck's resident fish community regulates through prey depletion.
Evidence at this site
No confirmed records on file at this site
Coral Encrusted Lionfish is listed as a curated species here based on historical reports.