Volitan Serpent

Volitan serpent, Fae serpent

Scientific Name: Phycodraconis volitans

Not a true dragon, but actually a member of the family Syngnathidae with sea horses and sea dragons; however, some debate exists whether P. volitans may, in fact, be more closely related to other Scorpaenidae. Like Pterois volitans from which this species takes its name, the Volitan serpent has an acetylcholine-based venom which is administered to unwary victims via its dorsal, ventral and anal fins.

P. volitans rarely grows beyond eight inches in length, with females slightly larger than males. Its diet is almost exclusively copepods and amphipods, however it has been observed sampling the polyps of long and short polyp stony (scleractinian) corals. Attempts to keep this species captive in marine aquaria have this far been unsuccessful.

Indigenous to the Red Sea, though this serpent seems to be following the invasive habits of Pterois volitans and has been found since the late 1980s throughout the Caribbean.