14/09/2025
🦁🐠 Are All Lionfish Spines Venomous?
No — not all of a lionfish’s spines are venomous, but many of them are.
Here’s the breakdown:
✅ Venomous Spines
Lionfish have 13 dorsal spines, 3 a**l spines, and 2 pelvic spines that are venomous.
These spines are hollow and connected to venom glands at their base.
When pressure is applied (e.g., during a sting), venom is injected through grooves in the spine into the wound.
So in total, a lionfish has 18 venomous spines:
13 dorsal
2 pelvic
3 a**l
❌ Non-Venomous Parts
The pectoral fins (those large fan-like ones on the sides) are not venomous.
The caudal fin (tail) and the body are also safe to touch — in fact, properly prepared lionfish fillet is safe and delicious to eat.
🛡️ Why They're Dangerous
The spines are defensive, not used for attack.
They’re sharp enough to pierce wetsuits, gloves, and human skin.
The venom causes intense, throbbing pain, swelling, and sometimes more serious symptoms like nausea, breathing difficulty, or dizziness.
