Common Lionfish

Photo: Valériane GIGOT · CC BY-NC

The miles lionfish — the Arabian Sea's native species — hovers beneath overhangs in groups of 3 to 8 individuals, fanning their ornate pectoral fins to herd small fish into crevice traps. Unlike invasive lionfish populations elsewhere, these are ecologically integrated predators held in check by larger grouper and moray. Their spectacular appearance against the soft coral backdrop makes them a photographic focal point of every Octopus Rock dive.