Lionfish

PTEROIS VOLITANS

Lion fish are native to the western Pacific Ocean

WHERE ARE THEY INVASIVE?

• Lionfish now live in coastal waters of the U.S. Southeast and the Caribbean

WHEN/ HOW WERE THEY INTRODUCED?

• Lionfish were introduced in the 1980s
• How: aquarium trade aka. Negligent aquarists

WHAT'S THE BIG DEAL?

• Lionfish Prey on native species; have venomous spines

WHAT CAN BE DONE?

• NOAA scientists researching the lionfish's spread and impact are encouraging a seafood market as a means of mitigating the species' impacts on reef communities.
• Aquarists on the coast of Florida are also encouraged to catch lionfish to be placed in tanks.

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