| THE
LIONFISH [PTERIOS VOLITANS]: In the modern
era, attack submarines have most often been named in honor of cities, while ballistic
missile submarines are usually named for states. Today, the newest fast attack
submarines can be named for states, famous Americans, and earlier classes of submarines.
During World War II,
however, attack submarines were named for fish, and the USS Lionfish (SS-298)
derived its name from the ferocious nocturnal predator of the same name. Also
known as the Turkey, Dragon, and Scorpion Fish, the lionfish bristles with poisonous
spines, with which this carnivorous critter paralyzes its unsuspecting prey. Lionfish
are most common in the Indo-Pacific region but can be found in all tropical seas.
Capable of growing up to 14 inches long, lionfish are mottled with colorful stripes,
which help to camouflage the animal as it hangs at crests of tropical reefs waiting
for crustaceans and other small fish to pass by. |
