Dying Lion Fish ?

[Steve_C]

There have been recent sightings of schools of dead or sick lionfish. They have a large sore on the side almost like a cookie cutter shark hit them. But it appears that it may be a virus. Scientists are trying to sort out what is happening. Is it a virus? Which virus? Is it a threat to other species? At what depth is this occuring? Have they finally met their match? If you find any of these please contact REEF or Holden Harris at holdenharrius@ufl.edu. Holden is a PhD student studying them. They are interested in samples but there are special packing and shipping requirements to avoid contamination in the research sense. Other information like how many, where, what percent of the population, etc. would be useful.

 

[northernone]

No sign of that in Cozumel, one can hope even though that looks like a horrible way to die.

The dead ones I see tend to have trident holes in them. Added 26 to that number the past 3 days.

Cameron

 

[scubafanatic]

The scientific community needs to try to breed the disease so we can help spread it everywhere lion fish that shouldn't be!

 

[Snoweman]

This has been covered in two other posts:

Mystery Lionfish Disease

Sick Lionfish worldwide phenomenon. Is there hope?

 

[drrich2]

The scientific community needs to try to breed the disease so we can help spread it everywhere lion fish that shouldn't be!

If we could confine it to the Caribbean/U.S. region and insure it wouldn't mutate to affect other species, that sort of 'biowarfare' could be powerful, indeed. Unfortunately, I don't think we're anywhere near being able to do those things. Once the lionfish develop a resistance, we'd need to redesign our germ.

Past efforts to introduce biological control agents (e.g.: cane toads) for pest eradication are cause for concern.

But since this disease, if people surmise correctly, is already here and getting around, hopefully it'll do some good.

Richard.

 

[Bob DBF]

The scientific community needs to try to breed the disease so we can help spread it everywhere lion fish that shouldn't be!

Then we find out later that it spreads to humans.


Bob

 

[CT-Rich]

Natural disease and parasites MIGHT limit populations of invasive fish. A small founding population would make them very homogeneous, what kills one may kill them all. That and an unnaturally high population density causes rapid transmission. This was the cause of the Irish potato famine (all the potatoes were from just two plants). If this is an endemic disease that Atlantic fish are mostly immune to, it might help stabilize the the population.

On the other hand it could also be an indication degrading environmental conditions. There is a certain amount of “ be careful what you wish for” at play here.

 

[Dogbowl]

That’s worrisome. Diseases can mutate and spread...to other fish, animals, humans. People eat lionfish. Hope they figure out what it is.

 

[Seaweed Doc]

The ulcers remind me of pictures I've seen of Pfiesteria ulcers on small fish a bit farther north. Could it be some kind of parasitic dinoflagellate, like Pfiesteria? Virus, marine "fungus" or bacteria are also options....

 

[Steve_C]

This has been covered in two other posts:

Mystery Lionfish Disease

Sick Lionfish worldwide phenomenon. Is there hope?

Sorry did not realize that it was not a new topic. I missed those posts. Thanks for pointing that out.