Common Lionfish
Pterois miles
Spectacular, slow-moving, and venomous. The Red Sea's most photographed fish — and genuinely native here, unlike in the Caribbean where they're invasive.
- Size
- 15–35 cm
- Depth
- 1–50 m
- Sighting odds
- common
- IUCN status
- LC
About this species
Lionfish are unmistakable: feathery pectoral fins, bold red-and-white stripes, and a leisurely cruising style. They're nocturnal hunters, drifting along reef walls and into crevices to corner small fish. Their dorsal spines are venomous — a sting hurts a lot but is rarely dangerous to humans.
Fun facts
- Native to the Red Sea — invasive in the Caribbean
- Hunt by herding small fish with their fan-like fins
- Sting is painful but treatable with hot water
Best sites for this species
El Malek
A wreck-and-reef combo south of Hurghada Marina. The remains of the El Malek tug rest on a sandy slope at 28 m beside a vibrant coral garden — two dives in one site.
Fort Arabesque House Reef
A gem of a shore-accessible house reef in Makadi Bay. Walk in from the beach, descend over a sloping garden, and find a thriving coral wall ten metres from your towel.
El Mina Wreck
A 70 m Egyptian minesweeper sunk during the 1967 war, lying on her port side at 32 m. The most dramatic and accessible wreck in the Hurghada area — and a highlight of any Advanced Open Water course.
Ras Disha
A shore-accessible point dive on the Sahl Hasheesh peninsula. Easy entry, gradual slope, and a small wreck on the sandy bottom for variety.
Want to dive with common lionfish?
Tell us when you're coming and we'll plan a dive that maximises your chances.