Download Marine Invaders: The Lionfish - Miami

Marine Invaders: The Lionfish
Lionfish (Pterois volitans and P. miles) are members of
the scorpionfish family and are native to the IndoPacific. The distinctive lionfish has red and white vertical stripes and elongated fins and venomous spines.
13 venomous dorsal spines
venomous ventral spine
3 venomous anal spines
In their native habitat, lionfish inhabit reefs and can
be found at depths up to 175 m (575 ft). The lionfish
is a nocturnal species and their coloration provides
them great camouflage for their environment.
Where are they?
Lionfish are now established in the Atlantic Ocean
from Florida to Cape Hatteras and their range is expanding rapidly along Florida’s Atlantic and Caribbean
coasts. This rapid expansion has raised concerns
about the impact of this invasive species on native
reef fish populations.
lionfish sightings in the area remained rare until
2000.
Since then, reports started to become regular for
West Palm Beach and Broward Counties as well as
off of St. Augustine
and Jacksonville, FL.
The first lionfish was
reported and collected
in the Florida Keys in
January, 2009. Prior
to then lionfish sightings were sporadic
and uncommon. They have since become more frequent for both Miami-Dade and the Florida Keys,
and hundreds of sightings have been reported from
both regions.
How did lionfish get into the Atlantic Ocean?
Researchers believe that the most likely pathway is
from the aquarium trade. Several lionfish were released into Biscayne Bay during Hurricane Andrew
in 1992 when a beach-side aquarium broke. Others
may have established themselves from either accidental or deliberate releases of aquarium fish into
the ocean, despite it being illegal to release nonnative fish into Florida’s fresh or salt waters.
There is also a slight, though unlikely, possibility
that lionfish may have been transported via ballast
water in trans-oceanic ships. Whatever the initial
route, the lionfish invasion appears to be facilitated
by ocean currents which are transporting lionfish
from the southeastern US to the Caribbean, Bahamas, Bermuda, Mexico, and South America. Lionfish have even been seen in New England, despite
previous assumptions that they would be limited by
cold water temperatures.
The first documented sightings of lionfish in the
United States occurred off Dania, Florida in 1985 but
What’s the problem?
In their native range, predation, competition, and/
or disease help to keep lionfish populations in
check. However, as with other invasive species lionfish have few natural predators and they are thriving in the Atlantic.
Researchers have several concerns about the increasing abundance of lionfish in the Atlantic. As with any
non-native species that becomes established, there is
a fear that the lionfish will compete with native fish
for food and space. Researchers have found that
over a period of 5 weeks, a single lionfish can decrease the recruitment of new juvenile reef fish by
almost 80%. This is because lionfish are voracious
predators. Gut content analysis shows that lionfish
prey on juvenile grouper, spiny lobster, parrotfish,
wrasses and other ecologically and economically important species.
A lionfish spreading its
fins herding and trapping prey fishes.
Photo: NOAA
http://coris.noaa.gov/
exchanges/lionfish
This is especially concerning since the abundance of
lionfish in some areas within the Atlantic and Caribbean is now estimated to equal or exceed those of
some native grouper species.
What is being done about the lionfish?
Although it’s unlikely that lionfish will be completely
eradicated, efforts are in place to control lionfish
abundance. The Reef Environmental Education Network (REEF) has been working with federal, state and
local partners to document lionfish sightings and remove them when possible. Divers are encouraged to
report
all
lionfish
sightings
by
visiting
http://www.reef.org/lionfish and completing the exotic species report form or by calling 305-852-0030.
Please note the location, depth, number and size of
the fish when reporting.
Fishermen are also helping to curb lionfish numbers,
although catching lionfish via hook and line is an infrequent occurrence. Anglers should be cautious
when attempting to remove lionfish from their hooks
and thick PVC gloves or a gaff are recommended.
Do not come in contact with the dorsal, anal or pectoral spines. Lionfish should also NOT be released
back into the ocean if caught.
Lionfish are valued as a food fish in many parts of
their natural range and their consumption is being
promoted throughout the Caribbean as a subsistence fishery. The toxin in the spines are not released into the meat of the fish, so there is nothing
“poisonous” about the fish and cooking destroys
any residing toxins. Anglers and divers who have
experience handling the fish and who use puncture
resistant gloves are encouraged to capture and kill
and lionfish they come across. People wishing to
prepare lionfish for cooking should cut off the venomous spines before cleaning the fish to avoid being stung.
What to do if stung?
Since lionfish tend to keep their fins spread out, divers can get stung if they are not careful. The sting
from a lionfish spine is comparable to that of a
stingray’s barb. Treatment is also similar– the affected body part should be submerged in hot water
to denature the toxin. Aspiring pain relievers may
also be used. Seek medical attention as soon as possible. Symptoms of a lionfish sting can include intense throbbing, redness, swelling and tingling sensations around the wound, sweating and blistering,
headaches, nausea or vomiting, and if untreated
there is a chance of more serious complications.
For more information check out these websites:
http://www.ccfhr.noaa.gov/stressors/lionfish.aspx
http://nas.er.usgs.gov
http://www.reef.org/lionfish
Lisa Krimsky
Miami-Dade County
Sea Grant Extension Agent
305-421-4017
[email protected]
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