Lionfish

[Bear Essentials II]

Hi,

I pulled the following information off the Florida Musieum of Natural History Website (http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fish/Galler...ionfish.html):

Predators
Published records of natural predators of adult red lionfish are unknown. But again, studies of the closely related Pterois miles may provide us with some indication of the natural history of P. volitans. In the Gulf of Aqaba, Red Sea, the piscivorous cornetfish, Fistularia commersoni, appears to be a predator of Pterois miles. Judging by the presence of a specimen of P. miles in the stomach of a large F. commersoni, and its particular orientation therein, a published note concludes that cornetfish in the Red Sea may utilize their ambush tactics to seize lionfish safely from the rear, consuming them tail first.

As cornetfishes are widespread, effective piscivores, species sympatric with P. volitans may be predators of the same.

Other as yet undocumented predators of the red lionfish might include sharks, as many sharks are known to consume noxious or venomous organisms with no obvious ill effects.

· Parasites
No information regarding parasites of free living red lionfish was found in compiling this summary.

Eradication:
History has shown that any eradication efforts of an introduced species must be conducted in the early stages of introduction if there is to be any realistic expectation of success. So it comes as something of a surprise that at this time no published plan to eradicate the species has been enacted or recommended despite the enormous potential danger that red lionfish pose to both environmental and human health. To delay is folly. The lessons of non-indigenous biology are unequivocal in this regard. Eradication efforts planned too late more often than not reap nothing but costs.

Hope this helps. If anyone else has information that supports the above information or amplifies it, please post!

[quack quack]

Kill them all.

[Disco Lady]

They make great Sushi!

[Boboe]

Unless there's a shitpotfull of coronet fish in the Red Sea and elsewhere in the lionfish's range, there's something else that controls their population, which is lacking over here. I wonder what it is. Honestly.

[dpdash]

I saw one off of Andros/Nichols town area a few weeks ago. I would have shot it but 30 seconds earlier I had been shadowed by a 5' reef shark and did not want to get him going, or take it off my spear.

[fishensticker]

I just returned from Exuma and there were Bahamian warning posters up about the lionfish. And unfortunately, when I dove there (3 dives) on each dive I saw several large lionfish looking very much at ease on the reefs. Because the dives were deep, I was using scuba gear and I didn't carry a spear/gig to eradicate. I hope something is done soon, otherwise lobstering in our SoFl and Keys waters is going to get a little more dangerous, to say the least.

[2fastlx]

Just returned from Mangrove Cay and saw a number of them. Locals told me to kill them so thats what I did. Just shish-kabob (sp?) them with the sling and wave it frantically under water, they will tear right of.

[islandshark633]

evidently you can eat them -

[B767]

Interesting!!!!!

[islandshark633]

I was just at Atlantis and they have a tank full of these buggers, up to 18" long. Could well be enough meat to make a meal from a few of them but is it worth the risk of getting stuck??

Also seemed to me that the tank is just a source of lionfish spawn that will be pumped into the ocean as the tank system draws in sea water, sends it through the various tanks and out to sea again.

I heard a news story recently that in 2003 no less then 8000 lionfish were imported by aquarist supply stores into the city of Tampa alone. Importation on that kind of scale is definately going to result in members of the public releasing unwanted fish into the sea........ and thats just one city!

[cantdance]

Just got over to the Bahamas and caught a lionfish from 500 foot and 5 miles off shore. Anyone caught one deep dropping? Guess they are not just reef fish. This one was all red and orange like most species from this depth. Will try to post pics later

[miamiangler1]

Originally Posted by islandshark633

I was just at Atlantis and they have a tank full of these buggers, up to 18" long. Could well be enough meat to make a meal from a few of them but is it worth the risk of getting stuck??

Also seemed to me that the tank is just a source of lionfish spawn that will be pumped into the ocean as the tank system draws in sea water, sends it through the various tanks and out to sea again.

I heard a news story recently that in 2003 no less then 8000 lionfish were imported by aquarist supply stores into the city of Tampa alone. Importation on that kind of scale is definately going to result in members of the public releasing unwanted fish into the sea........ and thats just one city!

That is so true ... have seen Pacific Tangs (Naso) in one of the canals in North Miami I snorkel in to catch tropicals ! But woundnt mind if there where a couple thousand Fairy Basslets (Royal Grammas ) released In Miami waters

[islandshark633]

Originally Posted by miamiangler1

But woundnt mind if there where a couple thousand Fairy Basslets (Royal Grammas ) released In Miami waters

we got them by the ton here, also the even more beautiful deep water gramma which is violet at depth and a bright magenta when brought to the surface. Problem is you need to decompress them as they live 80ft and deeper. I only ever got one to survive for any lenght of time in my tanks.

[miamiangler1]

Originally Posted by islandshark633

we got them by the ton here, also the even more beautiful deep water gramma which is violet at depth and a bright magenta when brought to the surface. Problem is you need to decompress them as they live 80ft and deeper. I only ever got one to survive for any lenght of time in my tanks.

Yes I Know the Blackcapps are nice !only way to decompress them is to do the same as you would when you are diving ... except you do it much more slowly 20 ft every 20minutes .. you just have to make sure that the catch bag or what ever you keep the tropicals in is covered or a grouper will try to steal whats in side ...

[Telum Piscator]

Crossed over the islands weekend of the 21st. Saw a Lionfish ~8-10'' in length. beautiful thing, however knowing it doesnt belong here and not having any natural predetors you can say I sent it a message
Area around ocean cay.

[RiskTaker]

Soy sauce and un poco wasabi would have been a more green and eco friendly message: nevertheless, a very pointed message.

Sorry , if I de-railed the aquarium posts; they are an interesting point as well.

Right-o. Slow deco is the way to go: approx. 1 ft./min. But then again, think about it. Why do you want to put deep water fish into your shallow water aquarium? Amusement perhaps?

[islandshark633]

Originally Posted by RiskTaker

Why do you want to put deep water fish into your shallow water aquarium? Amusement perhaps?

'cuz you can........

[Bracjeff]

They are now in Cayman Brac. One was sighted October 9th on the 356.