Lion Fish in Nassau?

[Rafael]

First of all Happy new year to all NELD members.

I just cameback from Nassau and we spot a couple lion-fish, i'm not an expert in this matter, is not this kind of fish a Pacific fish?

I have a couple pictures of it posted here.

Thank you for your help on advance.

http://www.scubaboard.com/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/40702/limit/recent

 

[Diesel298]

ask gidds shes the local fish expert

 

[Al Mialkovsky]

Were you at the blue hole? While they aren't supposed to be there the huge one at the blue hole was dropped off by someone who didn't want to purchase a larger aquarium.

 

[getwet2]

Nassau is not in the Pacific either............................ Just having some fun.

There have been reports that there are some where there shouldn't be and most likely the result of being released from peoples aquariums.

 

[Al Mialkovsky]

Yeah, I missed that. The Lionfish are pacific fish, Nassau isn't a pacific dive site

 

[lisa_j]

This sounds familiar...I remember hearing about that here:
http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?t=119204&highlight=lion+fish+bahamas

 

[Gidds]

to the best of my knowledge lionfish that were released by disgruntled aquarists in South Florida and adjacent areas have become established as an invasive species

Awesome new avatar Rafael

 

[PfcAJ]

I actually attended a seminar about this!

Lionfish have established themselves quite well along the east coast of the US in the 80-300ft depth range. It is thought that aquarium owners have released them into the wild, not knowing of their potential impact of the ecosystem. They are almost exclusively found along the areas that that the gulf stream traces, possibly because of how they release thier eggs into the water. Given that they have no natural predators on this coast, they have nothing to check their population...

Except for divers! I hear they make a tasty meal. The flakey, white meat itself isn't poison, only the sacs by the venomous spines. Just cut around them, and broil or pan fry. Mmm!

 

[Rafael]

OK i'm sorry that is what i mean, Lion Fish is a Pacific fish and since Nassau is not the Pacific how is possible to find some there?

Thank you for correcting me.

 

[padiscubapro]

OK i'm sorry that is what i mean, Lion Fish is a Pacific fish and since Nassau is not the Pacific how is possible to find some there?

Thank you for correcting me.

There are lots of theories, but the fact is there is a breeding population along most of the warmer atlantic coast.. I have even seen them off NY on the offshore wrecks in the summer, most likely from following the gulf stream..


There are several theories, but in all liklihood is a combination of them..
The first I remember hearing of Lion Fish was in Biscayne bay shortly after hurricane andrew.. The keys and surrounding areas were heavily battered.. Several pet stores were washed away as were most likely amateur aquarists's tanks..
They began showing up further and further north (now aparantly eastward as well)..

Home aquarist that rasied Lionfish also probably released fish that outgrew their tanks..

On the deeper offshore wreck of NC they are a very common site..