ADDED ATTRACTION: A lionfish at the Marine Aquarium at Mandapam.
RAMANATHAPURAM: It may be a simple marine fish, but has wonderful features. The lionfish, the most spectacular marine species, has joined the list of guests in the Marine Aquarium started by the Fisheries Department at Mandapam near here.
Every visitor takes at least half hour to file past its showcase tank, enjoying its movements, colour, swimming movements and rotating eyes.
The fin spines and the enlarged pectoral fins look like stripes on a zebra. The note pasted on the tank says the outer portion and fins look like the dress worn by Queen Victoria.
“We exhibit a variety of rare fish varieties in the aquarium. But those who have seen the lionfish have been repeatedly visiting the aquarium. It is really the queen of the aquarium,” says B. Karthikeyam, Manager, Marine Aquarium. The official say the lionfish belongs to the scorpion fish family. It hovers around coral reefs, caves and crevices. “In captivity, it eats mainly live fish and sometimes lance fish. It can be found in the Gulf of Mannar, especially in the shallow waters. There are reports that it is also spotted at Kilakarai and Thondi,” said S. Velpandian and Ilamvazhuthi, Assistant Directors of Fisheries.
The tailpiece is that it is venomous. Local fishermen call it ‘samy’ (god) fish.
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