These are slow moving or sedentary carnivores often with venomous spines that can give a painful sting. Some are masters of camouflage and others are conspicuous by their colors and enlarged fins. Most are like the former. Punctures can cause extreme pain, suffering and even death (not in Hawaii). Stepping on or touching a camouflaged scorpionfish is always possible when around the reef. The Devil Scorpionfish looks like parts of the rock or coral. The Lionfish lurks upside down on roofs of caves or under ledges where you may brush against it.

Hawaiian Lionfish
(Pterosis sphex)

This fantastic fish is also known as the Hawaiian Turkeyfish. It is striped red and white with long dorsal spines and enormous expanded white spines on the pectoral fins. It uses these long pectoral fins to corner small fish and crustaceans that come too close. They also use them to brush along the bottom to stir up the creatures living there. They are found in caves and under ledges during the day and at night can be found gliding of the reef hunting for crustaceans. This animal should not be played with or handled, as its spines are venomous. They are fairly common along the Kona Coast of Hawaii. Its species name means wasp.