Killing lionfish, does it work?

[Hank49]

They may have natural predators (cornetfish and sharks have been cited), but one big difference between invasive lionfish and those in their natural environment is the lack of parasites. Parasites are a constant plague in the lives of fish (hence the demand for cleaning stations), yet invasive lionfish have been found to harbor none. This may convey a huge advantage upon them in terms of longevity, breeding, etc.

This is an interesting point. The parasite or even virus issue could work both ways. The lionfish could bring in something that affects the local fish, or it would be more susceptible to parasites or viruses that the local fish have here.

I dive areas here in Belize where very few, if any other divers go. We see a few lionfish here and there and some are huge. But where are all the small ones? Something is controlling the numbers here.

 

[redacted]

This is an interesting point. The parasite or even virus issue could work both ways. The lionfish could bring in something that affects the local fish, or it would be more susceptible to parasites or viruses that the local fish have here.

I dive areas here in Belize where very few, if any other divers go. We see a few lionfish here and there and some are huge. But where are all the small ones? Something is controlling the numbers here.

there was another thread a few months ago that talked about lionfish eggs floating to the surface where they hatch and drift with the surface currents for months (maybe a year) before they again descend. that would explain the lack of large quantities of very young lionfish on the reefs.

 

[Hank49]

there was another thread a few months ago that talked about lionfish eggs floating to the surface where they hatch and drift with the surface currents for months (maybe a year) before they again descend. that would explain the lack of large quantities of very young lionfish on the reefs.

This means that the ones that are here came from somewhere else. Why aren't there more? They've been here for about 4 years now.

 

[reefvagabond]

killing lionfish just to kill it seems quite hypocritical considering most divers usually want to protect life. in addition it seems that the ecosystem will survive even with lionfish. you know, over the millennium animals have traveled to different regions on earth changing the then current ecosystem.
Lionfish Impact part 1, they are not so evil after all - YouTube
Lionfish Imact, Part II, They are not so evil after all - YouTube
Lionfish Impact III-We've Got Crabs! - YouTube
these videos were posted by another scubaboard member and i think they warrant your consideration

edit: fixed a few grammar/typo problems

 

[redacted]

This means that the ones that are here came from somewhere else. Why aren't there more? They've been here for about 4 years now.

Maybe it is like rain in the desert (or central TX). When, where, and how often it falls is a big variable. It looks like they just reaching the FGB in the last couple years (very few and fairly small). I noticed in Bonaire last summer there seemed to be three distinct and one dominant size group (friers of about 10 inches, a bunch of 4to5 inch fish and very few in the 1 to 2 inch class. If this method of propogation and distribution is correct, then the overwhelming majority of fry must descent into the abyss and die. And when the dispersing cloud descends over your reefs, you get a re-stocking. Some years you just get missed.

 

[Hatul]

killing lionfish just to kill it seems quite hypocritical considering most divers usually want to protect life. in addition it seems they the ecosystem will survive even with lionfish. you know, over the millennium animals have traveled to different region on the earth changing the then current ecosystem.
Lionfish Impact part 1, they are not so evil after all - YouTube
Lionfish Imact, Part II, They are not so evil after all - YouTube
Lionfish Impact III-We've Got Crabs! - YouTube
these videos were posted by another scubaboard member and i think they warrant your consideration

That's exactly my thinking. The world's ecosystems are constantly changing with species migrating. We have lots of plants and animals that are not native and a new balance is reached, and so it will be with lionfish.

I have a bad feeling about people I dive with who want to kill life rather than protect.

Adam

 

[TMHeimer]

That's exactly my thinking. The world's ecosystems are constantly changing with species migrating. We have lots of plants and animals that are not native and a new balance is reached, and so it will be with lionfish.

I have a bad feeling about people I dive with who want to kill life rather than protect.





I second that. I don't know whether killing them is right or wrong and doubt it makes much difference anyway. But it is odd that divers, a group that regards itself as "ambassadors to the equatic world", seem to almost enjoy the idea of killing them. And a front page ad on SB.

 

[Hank49]

reefvagabond's links are pretty interesting too. I've seen all those and it's pretty amazing what FredT is observing in the Bahamas.
It's funny how nature throws so many curve balls at us.

 

[Guba]

It looks like they just reaching the FGB in the last couple years...

Actually, the first reported sighting of lionfish in the FGBNMS was made in June of this year (2011).

 

[DazedAndConfuzed]

I second that. I don't know whether killing them is right or wrong and doubt it makes much difference anyway. But it is odd that divers, a group that regards itself as "ambassadors to the equatic world", seem to almost enjoy the idea of killing them. And a front page ad on SB.

Yeah, earlier on, when lionfish were mentioned as a concern and at most, they were netted by the DM to be brought to researchers, the fellow divers were at most showing concern on its impact. But now when you go on dives where the DM spears lionfish....everybody comes out with a gun ho attitude that we gotta kill them...they are the 4l-Q4ed4 of the fish species. The S4dd4m Huss4in in the fish world...blood lust drooling out of everybody's mouth.

Just like England's villainizing of the grey squirrel given that they have better survivability than their native red squirrel. And its kill kill kill the grey squirrel. But those brits forgot it is they who practically eliminated the red squirrel in the first place, now they are the endeared species.