News and pics from Vinay Pais
Daijiworld Media Network - Kundapur (SP)

Kundapur, Aug 30: A poisonous species of fish called lion fish was caught by the fishermen of Beejady near here recently.

The scientific name of this fish, as identified by research scholar Vidyarani of Navudara Keri here, is scorpion fish belonging to the family of scorpy onside. Its normal habitat is deep sea and it feeds on planktons and small fishes.

The fish looks like a lion with thorns covering its body. Poisonous pouches are attached at the top of each thorn and the fishermen need to be extremely cautious while catching them, as the prick of the thorns causes severe pain and inflammation of skin tissues. The fish is also capable of changing its colour to suit the environment. Fish of such verities are normally bred in the aquarium for fancy. The wonder fish is now the cynosure of school-going kids in the Blue Sea aquarium near Nehru Maidan in the town.