Black & Red Volitan Lionfish (Pterois volitans)

This is the classic Volitan Lionfish look — bold maroon-and-black banding under a spray of venomous, feather-like spines — and the same species that turned an aquarium escape into one of the worst marine invasions on record after it got loose in the Atlantic. In a home tank it's a slow, confident predator that ambushes prey by cornering it with those oversized pectoral fins rather than chasing anything down. Easy to keep, hard to ignore, and not a fish you want your hand near without a plan.

Care level: Easy · Temperament: Predatory · Max size: ~15" · Min tank: 125+ gal · Diet: Carnivore, live/frozen meaty foods