Steven TengPeriod 3

¡Wanted: Lionfish!

The invading species is

otherwise known as Pterois volitans and Pterois miles.

Well known for its ornate beauty, venomous spines,

and unique tentacles.

Characterized by red, white, and black stripes.

Size ranges from 6 cm to 42 cm. Weighs about 480

grams on average.

The poison lionfish emits makes a great predator and

a threat nearby species including humans.

 Pterois prey mostly on small

fish, invertebrates, and mollusks. Lionfish most

actively feed in the morning.

Lionfish can live up to 15 years. Females release two

mucus-filled egg clusters frequently, which can

contain as many as fifteen thousand eggs.

Lionfish can be found around the seaward edge of

reefs and coral, in lagoons, and on rocky surfaces to

fifty meters. They show a preference for turbid

inshore areas and in harbors.

Crimes Committed:

Two species of Lionfish have been suspected to

occupy the East Coast of the US and the Caribbean

Sea.

Last count showed a population boom of over 700

percent! Some areas invaded have populations that

are more than in the lionfish’s native seas!

Pterois pose a threat to the ecosystems they invade.

They have become one of the most abundant species

in invaded areas.

Due to their feeding on prey fish, lionfish could

deteriorate entire reefs and affect food webs.

Lionfish also overpopulate reef areas making native

species migrate to less desirable spots.

Lionfish could decrease Atlantic Diversity by over 75

percent!