Foxface Rabbitfish found in Florida

[Scuba_Jenny]

Crud! Indo-Pacific Foxface observed in Florida's reefs

 

[Rob Phillips]

Is that the one we saw at the Ero Jacks?

 

[Scuba_Jenny]

yess!!!

 

[MB]

I wonder who the "citizen scientist" was...

 

[RyanT]

Oh no. I watched so many non-natives take hold in the freshwater environments of the everglades. I sure hope this is not a sign to come of our marine environment as well.

 

[Scuba_Jenny]

Hopefully not. The fish was the first one ever found here, was captured alive, and will be on display in a museum in Miami.

 

[iamrushman]

"Like the lionfish, the rabbitfish is a venomous fish with a voracious appetite. But, while the lionfish preys on marine life, the rabbitfish prefers marine vegetation like seaweeds, algae, and seagrasses. Scientists say both fishes were likely introduced to Florida waters through aquarium releases."

just info for us layman diver to be aware of......

 

[tridacna]

Highly unlikely to ever get stung by a rabbitfish. It's very skittish and only presents if in extreme danger. Not nearly ss much of threat as a lionfish.

 

[Scuba_Jenny]

Ironically, the rabbit fish was found in Dania Beach, FL. The first sighting of a lionfish in 1985 was in Dania Beach, Florida. I'm glad REEF was so proactive in retrieving it so quickly..

 

[Rob Phillips]

Hopefully not. The fish was the first one ever found here, was captured alive, and will be on display in a museum in Miami.

Nice Job SJ!