Palau – 2009 – 5 Dollars – Marine Life RED LIONFISH (PROOF)

Description

Face value: 5 Dollars
Metal: Silver .925
Weight: 25 g
Diameter: 38.61 mm
Quality: Proof
Mintage: 1’500 pcs.

The pacific Red Lionfish (lat. Pterois volitan) lives in the Pacific Ocean between Malaysia and Japan. He is nocturnal and only goes on prey hunt at night. During the day he mostly lingers under overhanging reefs. When the pacific Red Lionfish feels hassled it defends itself by stabbing with his extreme long and poisonous spines. Although the poison is not fatal it causes immense pain which only slowly wears off. It is not surprising that this sea dweller has therefore virtually no natural enemies.

The fish which can grow up to 40 centimeter is far from shy by nature and often swims towards divers unbothered. Then simply stay calm and proceed your dive unimpressed because the pacific Red Lionfish is not aggressive but merely inquisitive. Due to his eye-catching appearance this fish is often kept in show aquariums. This is a double-edged sword as most aquarists count to the victims of the pacific Red Lionfish.