Habitat/Distribution: Invasive species; native populations are found in the Indo-Pacific region, recently occurring along the United States' East Coast, Gulf Coast, and Western Atlantic after accidental introduction. Introduction to Florida's waters is estimated to have occurred in the early-mid 1900's.

All adult lionfish species have long, venomous dorsal spines which is the main reasons they have no known predators in their non-native distributions. In their native distributions, their populations are kept in check only through high larval-stage mortality from predation.

Red lionfish are not threatened or endangered and are actually listed on the USDA's Invasive Aquatic Species Control list.

Lionfish have no known threats and are well adapt to a variety of evnironemnts.

People are encouraged to remove red lionfish from their non-native distributions through local efforts such as the “Lionfish Derby” and similar culling efforts.