Close-up of a Little Lionfish with a Big Eye

Wordless Wednesday
Watery Wednesday

What: Hawaiian Lionfish (Dendrochirus barberi), a Hawaiian endemic species.
Sometimes called the Green Lionfish -- it looks green in natural light,
but when the camera strobe flashes, we discover that it actually is red!

Where: I took this photo at Puako, Hawaii.


Dendrochirus barberi
[Click on the photo to enlarge.]
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46 comments:

  1. Look at the red eyes, scary! And they call it green! :)
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  2. Aww... he's just a baby isn't he? (Or she?) I got some shots of Lion Fish at the NC Aquarium a few weeks ago, and while I'd assume they're a different variety they look very much like this one. Only a bit bigger. They didn't look green to me though, even without the strobe... I suppose the lighting was different.
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  3. So there's something called lionfish? Thought we already have tigerfish? ;p
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  4. What a magnificent fish. He's a beauty. Great photo!
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  6. Looks poisonousness to me. But I'm loving the underwater shots :)
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  7. My daughter would LOVE that pic. She is really into photography of animals she's never seen. I'm half tempted to wake her up to see it! :)
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  9. Hello BOb & Jerry, it's been awhile i haven't dropped by your blog. But been here several times in the past. Now i think i could frequent this through watery wednesday!

    I guess it's a nice life for the fishes out there!

    I got seas bt no fish for today! :)
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  10. OMG ! what a fish ! With red eye make up ! I always see very strange creatures on your blog, lol !
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  11. Humm, what kind of growl does a Lion fish make? :D Looks kind of prickly.
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  12. you're right. A lot of "red" today.
    Great minds.

    Meanwhile.. the Eyes have it!
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  13. this is amazing!!!! great photo you got here :)
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  14. @ Indrani - Yes, honest, it does look green underwater until you flood it with artificial light.

    @ Mojo - There are wuite a few (related) species that have the common name "Lionfish." This little guy is only found naturally in Hawaii, although some aquariums may have a specimen or two on display. Some species look more reddish -- actually sorta brownish red -- underwater.

    @ Dora - Yes, I have seen your "tigerfish."

    @ Denise & Jo - Thank you both very much.

    @ Napaboaniya - The spines in this creatures fins are indeed venomous.

    @ Cecily - You could always visit again tomorrow when your daughter is awake! ;-}

    @ Carletta -Thanks!

    @ Arlene - Welcome back to The Right Blue.

    @ Gattina - Aren't you about to go to Hurghada on holiday? I'm sure you'll see many curious sea creatures if you go on another glass-bottom boat ride there.

    @ GMJ - This particular lion does not roar. ;-}

    @ Pamela - Yep -- our in-joke - Wordless Rednesday.

    Bobbie
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  15. That's a beautiful lionfish. You've captured it well. Happy WW! :)
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  16. This fish is cool, but he's got a serious case of red eye.
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  19. You always have the best, most interesting sea life to share. None of the shots I've tried to get of one of these at the aquarium has come out very well but I'll keep trying.
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  20. It looks like the scorpion fish. At least the colours are similars.Great photo.
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  21. The eye has it! Wow. Nothing gets past him!
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  22. Bobby, this is a nice fish! You have shown us soooooo many. I was peeking at the list you gave yesterday and peeked at the pregnant shark post. Thank you.

    Happy WW! I am finding that at least in the Phillipines and in Singapore MacDonald's does delivery also.
    I used to be amazed at the pizza delivery in California, now it is worldwide.
    ..
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  23. That looks a bit different from the lionfish we see in the Red Sea. Is it, or is it just that big red eye?
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  24. Great idea for a shot. Thanks for sharing!

    Cheers!
    Regina In Pictures
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  25. Great photo. The color change is interesting.
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  26. That's a great shot of the interesting fish. The detail on its eye is amazing. Thanks for the birthday wishes.
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  27. Unusual. Great photograph!
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  28. as usual, always great shots.

    Happy WW. Check out my Scenes of Autumn and Vote for me. I’m a finalist in a Blogging Scholarship. Visit this link and select Danielle Lee.

    Thank You very much.
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  30. That is one cool looking fish!
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  31. Oh wow! The fish is so unique! I like the spike on his back and color too.
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  32. Great shot, although the spines look like the could be painful.
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  33. I learn so much from your Wordless Wednesday posts!
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  34. Very cool blog you have here - refreshingly different. And all the water images are so soothing - although that lion fish doesn't look very calm! Here is our WW...
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  35. What an interesting creature!
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  36. Looks like it just got electrocuted! ;p
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  37. Great close-up picture, with conjuctivitis!
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  38. Thanks, everyone, for visiting and for the feedback.

    @ CK - I shoot fish; you shoot 'birds' very well. ;-}

    @ 2Sweet - Your aquarium shots are much better than many underwater shots I've seen. Keep up the good work, and DON'T apologize for any of your photos. You really produce great stuff!

    @ Antigoni - This fish is related to scorpion fish. They are in the same family.

    @ Jim - Thanks, and glad you liked the pregnant shark, too.

    @ Robin - Yes, it is a bit different from the ones in the Red Sea. I know the ones you are referring to. I have photographed two species in the Red Sea. One of these days I'll put them up here.

    @ Danielle (DNLee) I did vote for you, and I hope everyone else does, too. I'll pass the word.

    @ Tabib -- Only an MD would make a comment like that. You are telling on yourself. :-D

    Bobbie
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  39. Look at those red eyes!! Yikes...I bet it hurts when you pet him too;) Happy WW and thanks for stopping by.
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  40. Wow, that eye is big. Does it help this fish to see better in the dark?
    I thought Lionfish were poisoneous? ?
    Terrific shot!
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  41. I have an award for you for both blogs. Visit my blog to receive it. Congratulations.
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  42. I love the Lion fish! It's one of my favorites - in aquariums that is. Just watched last night the 'Big Sting' on the science channel and guess what there was my 'dear' lion fish.

    The guy who was stung by it when cleaning his aquarium said it was the worst pain he ever experienced in his life. Worse than pain from kidney stones!!!

    So Bobbie what's the news about this Puako lion fish? How poisonous is he? I definitely would not like to meet him in the nice warm ocean waters at Puako!
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  43. @ Lori - This a a fish we don't want to pet. The spines in his fins are venomous, and if you got poked by one, I understand the pain from the venom is excruciating. So, we never attempt to handle these guys -- just take their picture. ;-}

    @ Becky and Gary - Seeing better might be a reason why this fish has a big eye. Good thinking.

    @ Antigoni - I'm going to look at your blog now. Thanks.

    @ Pua - I didn't see the show you mentioned, but yes, this fish has very serious venom in his spines. But don't worry. He doesn't attack. He just sits there, waiting for prey to come by. The venomous spines prevent bigger fish from eating HIM. Also, you would not be likely to see this fish at snorkeling depths, although there are one or two other fish in the same family (scorpionfish) that you could see in shallow water every now and then.

    Just remember: don't try to pick up ANY fish unless you know exactly what it is. And when you are wading in the water, be careful where you step.

    And now your questions have given me an idea for a later post, so thanks for that! :-D

    Bobbie
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  44. That eye looks just like the eyes of some of the people in my photos! lol. Another great shot.
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  45. Beautiful... trying not to be jealous!
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  46. Beautiful image and subject Bobbie, the eye is pretty amazing in this, well done !!
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We welcome your comments and invite your questions. Dialogue is a good thing!

Bobbie & Jerry

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