Fu Manchu Lionfish

Fu Manchu Lionfish

Description of the Fu Manchu Lionfish
The Fu Manchu Lionfish is also known by the names Twospot Turkeyfish, Twinspot Lionfish, Ocellated Lionfish, Bantol and Double-Oellated Scorpionfish.  It is a very unusual fish and is thought to resemble a turkey, hence its name 'Two-Spot Turkey Fish'. The Fu Manchu Lionfish makes a beautiful addition to any aquarium but be warned its spines are Venomous and can give a nasty sting! It is a poor swimmer and tends to scurry across the ocean floor.

Profile of the Fu Manchu Lionfish
This Profile contains interesting facts and information about the Fu Manchu Lionfish species.

• Size: Up to 13cm

• Diet / Feeding: Live food such as Brine Shrimp

• Temperament: Will fight to the death with other lionfish!

• Habitat: Reef Dwellers, found at depths up to 40m

• Behaviour: Aggressive to other Lionfish

• Range: Indo-Pacific

Scientific Classification of the Fu Manchu Lionfish
Definition: Scientific classification, or biological classification, is how biologists group and categorize species of organisms with shared physical characteristics. Scientific classification belongs to the science of taxonomy.

• Species: Dendrochirus biocellatus

• Popular Name: Fu Manchu Lionfish - Twospot Turkeyfish - Twinspot Lionfish -
  Ocellated Lionfish - Bantol - Double-Oellated Scorpionfish

• Kingdom: Animalia

• Phylum: Chordata

• Class: Actinopterygii

• Order: Scorpaeniformes

• Family: Scorpaenidae

Interesting Facts and Information - How do you identify the sex of a Fu Manchu Lionfish?
The males and females of many fish species have different colors or different shaped bodies. But there are also other fish species where there is no visible difference. Its sometimes tricky being an ichthyologist!

Interesting Facts and Information - Why are Fu Manchu Lionfish slimy?
Fu Manchu Lionfish secrete a type of mucus, or slime, from their skin. This slime provides protection against parasites and infections and helps the Fu Manchu Lionfish to move through the water faster. Some fish species also release toxins in their slime which ward off enemy attacks. Other fish species use their slime to feed their young.

Interesting Facts and Information - Why do Fu Manchu Lionfish have gills?
Gills enable the Fu Manchu Lionfish to breathe. Gills consist of thin sheets of tissue containing blood vessels. As water passes over the gills oxygen is absorbed into the blood stream Carbon dioxide passes out into the water. The gills are protected by a large bony plate called an operculum. Some fish species however have lungs and breathe air.

Interesting Facts and Information - Why do the Fu Manchu Lionfish have fins?
A fin is an external appendage or "limb" of a fish. Fins are used for directing, stabilizing, or propelling the different fish species in water. Numbers of fins vary between fish species, but there are usually seven. Each of the fins on a fish are designed to perform a specific function:

• Dorsal fins - The dorsal fin is located on the backs of fishes. The Fu Manchu Lionfish has Dorsal fins to lend stability in swimming.

• Ventral fins. The ventral fin is located on the pelvic area of fishes. The Fu Manchu Lionfish has Ventral fins to lend stability in swimming.

• Caudal fins. The Caudal fin is located on the tail area of fishes. The Fu Manchu Lionfish has Caudal fins to propel through the water.

• Pectoral fins. The Pectoral fin is located on the breast area of fishes. The Fu Manchu Lionfish has Pectoral fins to for locomotion and side to side movement

Interesting Facts and Information about Fu Manchu Lionfish