Pterois are harmful to humans.[14][15][how?] Juvenile lionfish have a unique tentacle located above their eye sockets that varies in phenotype between species.[16] The evolution of this tentacle is suggested to serve to continually attract new prey; studies also suggest it plays a role in sexual selection
According to a study that involved the dissection of over 1,400 lionfish stomachs from Bahamian to North Carolinian waters, Pterois fish prey mostly on small fish, invertebrates, and mollusks in large amounts, with some specimens’ stomachs containing up to six different species of prey.[20] The amount of prey in lionfish stomachs over the course of a day suggests lionfish feed most actively from 7:00–11:00 am, and decrease feeding throughout the afternoon. Lionfish are skilled hunters, using specialized bilateral swim bladder muscles to provide precise control of location in the water column, allowing the fish to alter its center of gravity to better attack prey.[20] The lionfish then spreads its large pectoral fins and swallows its prey in a single motion.[17] They blow jets of water while approaching prey, apparently to disorient them.[21] In addition to confusing prey, these jets of water also alter the orientation of the prey so that the smaller fish is facing the lionfish. This results in a higher degree of predatory efficiency as head-first capture is easier for the lionfish.
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