This was a commissioned oil painting of a lion fish requested by Ginger and Robert Morgret. Lion fish are a great threat to the reefs of south florida. Lion fish were introduced to South Florida as an exotic creature for tropical fish tanks. Most likely, they were released into the waters of the ocean when their owners were tired of them. They have no natural enemy and their sting can be very painful. Their victims often need a hospital visit to treat their venom. Today it is encouraged that they be hunted and killed. They are apparently very tasty but hard to prepare. Restaurants will probably not offer them on the menu.