Dendrochirus is a genus of marine ray-finned fishes belonging to the family Scorpaenidae, the scorpionfishes.

[1][2] This genus is classified within the tribe Pteroini of the subfamily Scorpaeninae within the family Scorpaenidae.

[5] The genus name is a compound of dendro, meaning "tree", and cheirus, which means "hand", originally this genus was considered to be a subgenus of Pterois with branched rays in the pectoral fin.

[4] Eight species are recognized in this genus:[6][7] Dendrochirus lionfishes are characterised by typically having 13 spines and 9 or 10 soft rays in the dorsal fin and 3 spines and 5 or 6 soft rays in the anal fin.

[6] Dendrochirus lionfishes are found in the Indo-Pacific from the Red Sea and the western Indian Ocean to Hawaii and Johnston Atoll.They tend to be associated with hard substrates such as coral rocks and rubble.