Luna lion fish (Pterois lunulata)

Classification (WoRMS)

Full classification as recorded by WoRMS: Kingdom: Animalia · Phylum: Chordata · Class: Teleostei · Order: Perciformes · Family: Scorpaenidae · Genus: Pterois.

Accepted name: Pterois lunulata · Authority: Temminck & Schlegel, 1843 · Taxonomic status: accepted · AphiaID: 218083.

Source: World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=218083 (CC BY 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-25.

Biology and life history (FishBase)

Measured values published by FishBase for Pterois lunulata. Only fields the database actually holds for this species are shown; these are database values, not aquarium guidance.

Maximum length: 35 cm · Common length: 25 cm · Depth range: 132–172 m · Habitat zone: reef-associated · Body shape: fusiform / normal · Vulnerability index: 25 of 100 · Fishery importance: commercial · Aquarium trade: public aquariums.

FishBase notes: On rocky substrates in subtropical waters. Usually found on open substrates with remote outcrops of reef or soft-bottom substrates at moderate depths (Ref. 48635). Feeds on fish and crustaceans. Spines are venomous.

Source: FishBase species summary (SpecCode 13132) — https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Pterois-lunulata.html (CC BY-NC 3.0 — non-commercial use only). Accessed 2026-09-25.

Distribution and occurrence records (GBIF)

199 georeferenced occurrence records for Pterois lunulata are published through GBIF from 7 countries or marine areas. The map above plots 41 distinct locations from a sample of 199 records, omitting 24 inland records that carry an institution's coordinates rather than a collection site; it shows where the species has been observed and reported, not a modelled range.

Most records by country or area: Japan (119); Chinese Taipei (37); Korea, Republic of (27); Philippines (9); Australia (5); Greece (1); New Caledonia (1).

Marine regions with a valid WoRMS distribution record: Mauritian Exclusive Economic Zone.

Source: GBIF Occurrence Search (taxonKey 2334436) — https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/search?taxon_key=2334436&has_coordinate=true (records CC0 / CC BY); WoRMS distribution records (MarineRegions) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=218083 (CC BY 4.0); Natural Earth 110m basemap — https://www.naturalearthdata.com/ (public domain). Accessed 2026-09-25.

Conservation status (IUCN Red List)

The IUCN Red List assesses Pterois lunulata Temminck & Schlegel, 1843 as Least Concern (code LC). No trend, population estimate or threat analysis is given here, because none is available from this source without the Red List API; follow the source link for the full assessment, including its date.

Source: IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (taxon 155129) — https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/155129/0; GBIF IUCN Red List category endpoint (taxonKey 2334436) — https://api.gbif.org/v1/species/2334436/iucnRedListCategory. Accessed 2026-09-25.

Description and natural history (Wikipedia)

The luna lionfish was first formally described in 1843 by the naturalists Coenraad Jacob Temminck and Hermann Schlegel with the type locality given as Nagasaki Bay in Japan. Molecular studies, and some morphological data too, have indicated that this species and P. russelii are the same species, P. russelii. The specific name lunulata means "moon shaped", thought to be a reference to the crescent shaped black spots on the pectoral fins.

Description

The luna lionfish is very similar to P, russelli and there are almost no known consistent morphological and genetic features which separate these two taxa. They are separated by some differences in the number of body scales above the lateral line with there being 7–10 in this species and 9–12 in P. russelli and in the number of scale rows running along the body from behind the gills to the base of the tail where this species has 60–80 and P. russelli has 70–95.

The luna lionfish also has white spots on the inner pectoral fin and some differences in the average length of that fin. It may be that P. lunulata is a morph of P. russelli. There are scales with pale centres which create a lattice-like pattern on the bands on the body, the pectoral-fin rays have V-shapoed markings and the soft-rayed parts of the dorsal, anal and caudal fins are spotted in large adults. The luna lionfish attains a maximum published total length of 35 cm, although 25 cm is more typical.

Distribution and habitat

The luna lionfish is found in the Western Pacific Ocean from southern Japan and Korea in the north south to Australia and New Caledonia. They occur over rocky substrates in subtropical waters and are typically found in open area where there are isolated outcrops of reef or over soft-bottom substrates at moderate depths of 132 to 172 m.

Biology

The luna lionfish is, like other lionfishes, predatory and feeds on small fishes and crustaceans. The spines in the fins are venom bearing.

Source: Wikipedia: Luna lionfish — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luna_lionfish (CC BY-SA 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-25.