- English Name : Zebra lionfish
- Local Name : Kanfaiykuda fanhaamas Size : Max. 20 cm
- Family : Order : Specimen :
- SCORPAENIDAE Scorpaeniformes MRS/0106/87
- Distinctive Characters: Dorsal fin with 13 spines and 10-11 rays. Anal fin with 3 spines and 6-7 rays. Pectoral fin with 17 rays. Pectoral fins only slightly longer than head; rays joined by membrane except for short tips; no filamentous rays on pectoral fin. Tentacles usually present above eyes.
- Colour: Head and body with red brown bars alternating with narrower pink to whitish bars; most fins prominently striped or spotted. A dark brown or blackish blotch on lower edge of operculum.
- Habitat and Biology: Usually seen in shallow waters, particularly in lagoons down to depths of 35 m. Distribution: Indo- Pacific.
- Remarks: The genus Dendrochirus differs from Pterois by having the pectoral rays connected to each other almost to tips. Favoured by aquarists. Dorsal fin spines extremely venomous.