Is this a lionfish (pic included)?

Yep. They can sting something fierce.

I’m pretty sure it is.

Sure looks like one to me. I’ve been wrong once or twice before, though. Maybe three times. So it’s not a certainty.

yep

Thanks guys, I was thinking that it may be a cross breed or something but it sure looks like one.

Yep, I have seen them when snorkeling at the Great Barrier Reef, they are beautiful but scary!

Yea that is a lion fish. Im guessing its a voilitan lion. I was actually stung by one of them about 6 months ago at work. I was cleaning its tank and it darted across the tank at my hand. I didnt move fast enough. There really isnt anything you can do about it either. I was lucky it was only a 4in fish. Left my whole arm in pain for about an hour.

Another interesting thing about lionfish is they actually tried to put a ban on them in the aquarium trade. The reason for this is there is now an infestation of lionfish on the Atlantic coast. It can all be traced back to 4 or so lionfish that were released into the ocean when hurricane Andrew hit Florida. They have no predators in the Atlantic so they just breed like crazy, and they are predators so they are having a negative impact on the ecosystem.

@rooeytoo I would love to go scuba diving someday, maybe when I finish high school – I’d love to see some lionfish! ^.^
@uberbatman Thanks for the informative answer and the image!

@julia999 – I am too claustrophobic to scuba, but I love snorkeling. Scuba would be good if I weren’t such a nut case, heheheh.