Lionfish roundup

[Sinbad the Diver]

Lionfish will stay in shallow waters near the shore, where there's plenty of food for them, and where divers don't go. You don't need scuba to get them there, and local kids with masks and snorkels can catch hundreds a day if they are paid say $3-5 a piece. But Klein Bonaire is too far for them, and it will soon become a lionfish sanctuary.

Unless groupers start eating lionfish, this battle is lost before it started.

Moray's will eat them, after they've been speared though. They won't mess with them if blood isn't present from what I saw and was told. Same DM that showed us that said he was also able to feed speared lionfish to reefsharks, they get very agitated afterwards, rubbing their faces against rocks, but will eat them again the next day (short memories or realize the short term pain is worth it).

 

[dano2036]

Just got back from Puerto Rico and they are everywhere there. One local guy said they could sell them every now and then for $40 to the pet shop other than that they leave them alone.

 

[divefamily09]

My DM in Coz says that he has been feeding lionfish to eels but it takes a little time to get them to take them. But he hasn't seen eels or groupers going after the lionfish on their own. Guess the best option is shoot to kill and if nothing will eat them leave them for the birds. I'm planning a lionfish hunt the next time I'm in Coz.
John

 

[DandyDon]

I'm thinking about strapping a carving fork or Bar-B-Q fork to my leg. I Do Not want to get stuck. They can lose some of their venom in aquariums depending on what they eat, but in the wild - one researcher once commented he felt like cutting his hand off from the pain. Logic prevailed fortunately.

Someone started a rumor that the dorsal spines are the only ones with venom, which is dangerously not true. As explained by the NOAA, the anal and pelvic fins also have spines.

Is there a bounty for Crown of Thorns Starfish as well?

Good idea for anyplace they are not native.

it seems lionfish are a popular aquarium/hobbyist fish... why don't the all the fish stores start making deals with diveshops in NC, florida, and the bahamas and start getting their "farm raised" atlantic/caribbean lionfish from them instead of pillaging reefs in the philippines, indonesia, etc?

either that or convince our 'economic overlords' that eating lionfish spines will bring prosperity and we'll start making a killing on lionfish soup.

One of the problems arise from how hardy P.volitans are in aquariums, as well as fun to feed. When they outgrow the tank, some yo-yos set them free at the beach. No shop would buy a large one.

Wouldn't it be a lot simpler for the states affected by these lionfish to pay a bounty of, say, $10 each? The local dive operators could give the bounty hunters a ticket which could be turned in at any bank for a payout for each one turned in. Then the state or a contractor could collect the fish and tickets stubs each week or month. Or maybe that's too simple.

As many Floridians that die in mini-lobster season, I can see that going badly. :shocked2:

I just want to spear and drop for the crabs and lobsters.

 

[vladimir]

but in the wild - one researcher once commented he felt like cutting his hand off from the pain. Logic prevailed fortunately.

Don, my dive buddy brushed up against one on a night dive in PNG (they swam alongside us hunting in our light beams). We returned to the Telita, he submerged his hand in hot water, and whatever pain he was in he managed pretty gracefully--maybe it wasn't much exposure or maybe he had a really stiff upper lip, I don't know.

As for killing or otherwise culling lionfish, why not? I doubt it will stem their incursion but it's hard to see a downside to killing them. We kill native species pretty routinely; there's certainly no reason to exempt invasive species from the hunt.

 

[DandyDon]

Don, my dive buddy brushed up against one on a night dive in PNG (they swam alongside us hunting in our light beams). We returned to the Telita, he submerged his hand in hot water, and whatever pain he was in he managed pretty gracefully--maybe it wasn't much exposure or maybe he had a really stiff upper lip, I don't know.

I think the severity of the sting will vary a lot with how big the fish was, which spine, how much venom made it in, etc and repeated stings may develop allergic or at least increased reactions.

Officials Expect More Lionfish in Keys | Conch Republic Kingdom
“The first time I got hit, the spine nearly went through my hand,” Purdy said. “It hurt so bad I wanted to cut my hand off with a meat cleaver. It’s much worse than an urchin sting.” While usually painful and occasionally causing temporary paralysis, lionfish stings are not considered fatal. But any serious injury at depth can threaten a diver’s life.

Reef Killer: Lionfish. - Ambergris Caye & Belize Message Board
One marine biologist said that he has been stung several times while rounding up lionfish - once badly. “It was so painful, it made me want to cut my own hand off,” he said. Marine officials say swimmers will be more at risk as the venomous species overtakes tropical waters along popular Caribbean beaches.

 

[tetra730]

We even have them in new jersey!, so much for them not living in cold water.?I guess nature finds its way.

 

[DandyDon]

We even have them in new jersey!, so much for them not living in cold water.?I guess nature finds its way.

Welcome to SB!

A lot of tropicals ride the Gulf Stream too far in the warmer months, then fail to winter well. Hope they don't there. But they are very hardy.

 

[AggieDad]

Saw about five on my last trip to Roatan. Killed one. All were at depths of about 20 to 40 feet. DM's there are supposed to carry a small spear and kill on sight.

 

[Guba]

Saw about five on my last trip to Roatan. Killed one. All were at depths of about 20 to 40 feet. DM's there are supposed to carry a small spear and kill on sight.

Strictly from a biological perspective...does anyone know of comparative studies being done in Roatan concerning lionfish populations and the possible effects of the culling efforts? I'm wondering specifically whether they can actually see any net effect. Of course, the data all the way around (concerning the invasion) is pretty sketchy simply because it's all new and changing so dynamically, but it would be good to know what the effects might be.