Tuesday, October 21, 2008

The Pacific Lionfish is an Invasive New Species Spreading Within the Caribbean

The Pacific Lionfish or Red Lionfish has been rapidly spreading throughout Caribbean waters. It was first sighted in the Florida Bay in 1992, possibly escaped from an aquarium during hurricane Andrew or released by aquarium enthusiasts. 

Over the next ten years, it spread along the southeastern coast of the United States and then jumped to Bermuda. In 2004, it was reported in the Bahamas where it quickly spread. In 2007, it reached the Turks & Caicos Islands and Cuba, and this year it reached Jamaica, the Cayman Islands and the Dominican Republic. It was thought that it could not cross the Mona Passage to Puerto Rico, as this appears to be a natural barrier to larval transport, but in June this year many juveniles were reported from St. Thomas, Virgin Islands. Now it appears to have been sighted in St. Lucia.

It is only a matter of time before it arrives in the Netherlands Antilles, either in Bonaire and Curacao or in the Windward islands. The species can be very dangerous to our local ecosystems, eating fish that are not adapted to avoid these ravenous predators. It grows to 45 cm (about 18") and it is also dangerous to humans because of its long and sharp spines that inject a poison that is excruciatingly painful, similar in effect to a scorpionfish sting. It has no natural enemies in our waters, although reportedly groupers may eat it. 

The Red Lionfish inhabits coral reefs in depths of about 10 to 175 meters (30 to 575 feet). If you spot this fish, please report it immediately to the Bonaire National Marine Park at 717-8444. Take a photograph, if possible. For more information on this invasive species, click here.  (Source:  VOMIL)