I just found this story about the ecological effects of exotic lionfish. I hadn't realized it's apparently this bad: lionfish story.
Lionfish a new threat in Caribbean and southern U.S. coast
Started by
Guest_fundulus_*
, Aug 14 2008 02:56 PM
14 replies to this topic
#2
Guest_Gambusia_*
Guest_Gambusia_*
-
- Guests
Posted 14 August 2008 - 03:42 PM
There are LOTS of them off NC
#3
Guest_dsmith73_*
Guest_dsmith73_*
-
- Guests
Posted 14 August 2008 - 05:21 PM
and South Carolina......
#4
Guest_Mysteryman_*
Guest_Mysteryman_*
-
- Guests
Posted 15 August 2008 - 09:13 AM
Wow.
It's worse than I thought. It's worse than I ever thought it could be. Seven of them sitting in that one cluster makes a pretty picture, but a scary one.
I have to wonder, though.. have any of you ever known one of these to eat 20 fish in 30 minutes? I think somebody's exaggerating a bit. I've kept plenty of these over the years, and 4 or 5 is all they tend to want at a time. On the other hand, they never said just how small the fish were, so I guess it's possible.
There are actually people protesting the eradication efforts. Can you believe it?
Boy, I wish there was a good way to actually make a living at eradication. If I could figure that one out I'd start a company and go for it.
This would have to happen when HR 6311 is in play, wouldn't it? That bill is going to be the end of all fishkeeping, just you watch.
It's worse than I thought. It's worse than I ever thought it could be. Seven of them sitting in that one cluster makes a pretty picture, but a scary one.
I have to wonder, though.. have any of you ever known one of these to eat 20 fish in 30 minutes? I think somebody's exaggerating a bit. I've kept plenty of these over the years, and 4 or 5 is all they tend to want at a time. On the other hand, they never said just how small the fish were, so I guess it's possible.
There are actually people protesting the eradication efforts. Can you believe it?
Boy, I wish there was a good way to actually make a living at eradication. If I could figure that one out I'd start a company and go for it.
This would have to happen when HR 6311 is in play, wouldn't it? That bill is going to be the end of all fishkeeping, just you watch.
#5
Guest_mikez_*
Guest_mikez_*
-
- Guests
Posted 15 August 2008 - 01:22 PM
There was another thread on this awhile back.
Sadly, the niche they are invading is available because so many native groundfish are depleted to a fraction of historical numbers. Seems to me they'd be less likely to be displacing native species and more likely to be colonizing barren reefs and rock piles. I'm sure the young of native fish will be impacted at some level but I think many species use shallow habitat for juveniles and only move deeper [where the adult lionfish are] at adult size.
As I mentioned in the other thread, it seems the lionfish have a reproductive method that favors far ranging pelagic eggs and larvae. This is the same method used by most of the native tropicals which show up as summer strays in the north. I bet they are here already. Maybe I'll find one myself this year.
Sadly, the niche they are invading is available because so many native groundfish are depleted to a fraction of historical numbers. Seems to me they'd be less likely to be displacing native species and more likely to be colonizing barren reefs and rock piles. I'm sure the young of native fish will be impacted at some level but I think many species use shallow habitat for juveniles and only move deeper [where the adult lionfish are] at adult size.
As I mentioned in the other thread, it seems the lionfish have a reproductive method that favors far ranging pelagic eggs and larvae. This is the same method used by most of the native tropicals which show up as summer strays in the north. I bet they are here already. Maybe I'll find one myself this year.
#6
Guest_schambers_*
Guest_schambers_*
-
- Guests
Posted 15 August 2008 - 08:29 PM
I seem to remember reading somewhere (I could be wrong or it may not be true) that people in the diving business would sometimes 'plant' lionfish for their clients to see.
#7
Guest_mikez_*
Guest_mikez_*
-
- Guests
Posted 16 August 2008 - 10:30 AM
Dang! They beat me too it!
I should have realized these guys would have found one by now in New England. Two years ago!
lionfish in New England
I should have realized these guys would have found one by now in New England. Two years ago!
lionfish in New England
#8
Guest_Ouassous_*
Guest_Ouassous_*
-
- Guests
Posted 16 August 2008 - 12:24 PM
I remember hearing about that as well -- apparently the fish can be induced to stake out a fairly consistent territory at a familiar underwater landmark. No idea about validity, but some dive operators in the Atlantic and Caribbean are looking into capturing tourist interest in a species one would otherwise have to travel to the Indo-Pacific to see ("Swim with the lionfish!").I seem to remember reading somewhere (I could be wrong or it may not be true) that people in the diving business would sometimes 'plant' lionfish for their clients to see.
On Earth Day 2007, 44 volunteers set sail to remove lionfish in the western Bahamas. Here's a bag of speared specimens:
Edited by Ouassous, 16 August 2008 - 12:28 PM.
#9
Guest_Gambusia_*
Guest_Gambusia_*
-
- Guests
Posted 16 August 2008 - 02:35 PM
The speculation is that when Hurricane Andrew slammed Florida (in 1992?) it busted saltwater aquariums with lionfish in them and swept them into the Atlantic.
#10
Guest_mikez_*
Guest_mikez_*
-
- Guests
Posted 16 August 2008 - 04:10 PM
I wouldn't discount the dive tour scenario.
However, having sold lionfish retail, I know they are "tank busters" who's large mouths, insatiable appetite and venomous spines make them a species people are looking to get rid of. Probably lots of marine tropicals get dumped just like oscars, pacus etc. I think the lions are unique in that they are adaptable and cold tolerent enough to survive.
However, having sold lionfish retail, I know they are "tank busters" who's large mouths, insatiable appetite and venomous spines make them a species people are looking to get rid of. Probably lots of marine tropicals get dumped just like oscars, pacus etc. I think the lions are unique in that they are adaptable and cold tolerent enough to survive.
#11
Guest_critterguy_*
Guest_critterguy_*
-
- Guests
Posted 23 October 2008 - 11:55 AM
I wonder if they could be dried/preserved in a manner similar to porcupinefish? They could make cool ornaments.
#12
Guest_nativeplanter_*
Guest_nativeplanter_*
-
- Guests
Posted 23 October 2008 - 01:00 PM
I wonder if they could be dried/preserved in a manner similar to porcupinefish? They could make cool ornaments.
Eww. Morbid, if you ask me.
(Can't seem to find a "yuck" smiley...)
#13
Guest_Irate Mormon_*
Guest_Irate Mormon_*
-
- Guests
Posted 23 October 2008 - 09:51 PM
& (fixing to barf)I'm sure Teleost can come up with something. I assume he is the author of this jewel:
#14
Guest_dmarkley_*
Guest_dmarkley_*
-
- Guests
Posted 24 October 2008 - 09:39 AM
OK, I am going to play devil's advocate here. I think the article and the marine biologists are being kind of sensationalist in their opinions. And they are just opinions until further research confirms that the lionfish are creating humongous dead zones. OK, so maybe i was just a bit alarmist too! But seriously, while such an introduction has the potential to be devastating, has anyone considered this: The Indian and Pacific Oceans certainly still have quite a variety of marine life. The lionfish haven't devastated those areas. So I am speculating (yeah, an opinion) that lionfish in the Atlantic and Carribean will end up beig moderated by an emerging predator, disease or maybe cannibalism.
Dean
Dean
#15
Guest_Mysteryman_*
Guest_Mysteryman_*
-
- Guests
Posted 25 October 2008 - 10:22 AM
Sounds good to me.
I also think that they aren't really eating that much in so short a timeframe. That just sounds like crazy talk to me, or maybe something extrapolated from one aberrant observation.
The dried souvenir idea, though... yeah... there's a bundle to be made on that one. Dried Porcupine Puffers are always great sellers. I wonder if it's possible to prepare a lionfish in the same manner? They could spread awareness and pay for a big chunk of the eradication program.
Yikes. For a minute there I was actually considering this. Hmmm....
I also think that they aren't really eating that much in so short a timeframe. That just sounds like crazy talk to me, or maybe something extrapolated from one aberrant observation.
The dried souvenir idea, though... yeah... there's a bundle to be made on that one. Dried Porcupine Puffers are always great sellers. I wonder if it's possible to prepare a lionfish in the same manner? They could spread awareness and pay for a big chunk of the eradication program.
Yikes. For a minute there I was actually considering this. Hmmm....
1 user(s) are reading this topic
0 members, 1 guests, 0 anonymous users
NANFA Youtube Channel 
