Lionfish Dinner
ionfish are a prominent invasive species from the Indo-Pacific with a fierce reputation
in South Florida, causing devastating impacts to coral reef and marine habitats. With few natural predators, 18 venomous defensive spines, an extremely fast sexual maturation rate (less than 1 year), rapid reproduction rate (~2 million eggs per year!) and great adaptability to varying habitat depths and temperatures, these fish will most likely never be fully exterminated. There are two distinct but visually similar species found in non-native habitats of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and Atlantic. Red lionfish (Pterois volitans) compose about 97% of the South Florida lionfish population, but Devil Firefish (P. miles) are also found in these waters. They are voracious predators and are known to prey on and compete with more than 120 types of fish and invertebrates, including economically important species such as grouper, snapper, shrimp, and ecologically important species such as parrotfish and cleaner species. Research on lionfish is ongoing at numerous universities and agencies and will hopefully advance mitigation efforts. In the meantime, efforts should be focused on how individual ocean enthusiasts can help protect the natural resources of South Florida.
L
Writing Caity Savoia
Lionfish photo by Heather Weeter
106 - SEVENSEAS