The Lionfish is a common organism found in reef ecosystems. It is a carnivorous fish that is native to the Indo-Pacific Ocean but has more recently become invasive in the Atlantic Ocean. It typically feeds on prey that snapper and grouper also feed on which causes potential harm towards these coastal reef ecosystems. If the main fish can not feed and survive due to an invasion of another species, coral, crustaceans, sea urchins, and marine plants could either over-populate or reach closer to endangerment. This organism is bright in color with zebra-like stripes which is where it gets its nickname “the zebrafish”. Its fins and spines in both the pectoral and dorsal region, add a whimsical image of this popular species. An important fact about the Lionfish is that they are an extremely venomous fish that can cause rashes, varying pain, and even paralysis. You can be affected by its venom by touching its spines which pierce through your skin and transmit neurotoxins.
Picture credited to NOAA
This species arrived in coastal Atlantic Ocean waters and became popular around the mid 1980s by aquarists who released them into the wild after not wanting them in their aquarium anymore. This caused a huge swell of species population numbers and were becoming more common along the Florida coasts. Now, divers and fishermen can find these organisms in reefs, wrecks, and other warm coastlines in the Atlantic. Typically, you can find a Lionfish during any time of the year and are not only in marine ecosystems. This organism can reach up to 1000 meters deep or even in estuaries.
The future of the Lionfish seems to be simply the fishermen catching them in the wild and either selling them in the aquarium trade or to customers looking to consume them. One problem with consumption is the high risk for ciguatera poisoning. This poisoning occurs when someone consumes a fish that has a specific neurotoxin within its system called Gambierdiscus toxicus. If consumed, the human might experience tingling sensations in their fingers, nausea, and neurological symptoms. The question of whether we will see a Lionfish is truly based on luck. Considering these fish are year-round invaders of the Florida coast, it would be no surprise to spot one while snorkeling! Let's hope for the best but keep our distance so we do not run into any medical issues!
I didn't realize that the invasion of lionfish started so long ago and with people releasing their pet lionfish into the ocean. I kind of assumed they just made their way to the Atlantic ocean by swimming all the way here. I also wasn't aware that they could be found in estuaries as well as the ocean. Another thing I didn't realize were that lionfish were edible. I've never really thought about it, but if someone were to have asked me if lionfish were edible before I read this post, I would've said "probably not."
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