Britannica AI Icon

Miles’ firefish

fish
Also known as: Pterois miles, devil firefish

Quick Summary

Miles' firefish, also known as the devil firefish (Pterois miles), is a species of venomous fish native to the Indian Ocean, Red Sea, and Persian Gulf. Similar to the well-known red lionfish (Pterois volitans), Miles' firefish possesses venomous fin spines that can inflict painful injuries. These fish are characterized by bold, zebralike stripes and enlarged pectoral fins.12

In recent years, Miles' firefish has become established in new regions, including the Mediterranean Sea, likely entering through the Suez Canal. This species, like other lionfish, is considered invasive due to its rapid reproduction and lack of natural predators in non-native environments, leading to a significant impact on local reef fish populations.1

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
2 Britannica Sources
  1. lionfish
  2. fire-fish

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.