The Devil Firefish (Pterois miles), also commonly known as the common lionfish, is a strikingly beautiful but venomous marine fish native to the Indian Ocean and western Pacific. Characterized by its vibrant red and white stripes and long, venomous spines, the Devil Firefish is both a prized ornamental species and, in some regions, a target for commercial and recreational fishing due to its invasive status. While not traditionally a major target for large-scale fisheries, countries such as Indonesia, the Philippines, and India—where the species is native—occasionally harvest it for the aquarium trade and local consumption. In recent years, Caribbean nations and the United States have also begun targeted fishing of the Devil Firefish, particularly in the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico, where it has become an invasive species threatening native ecosystems. Here, fishing is encouraged to control populations, with the fish increasingly finding its way into local markets and restaurant menus. Thus, the top countries associated with Devil Firefish fishing are Indonesia, the Philippines, India, and, due to invasive species management, the United States and several Caribbean nations.
| Rank | Country | Metric Tons |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cyprus | 22 |
Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.