Reef hook recommendations

[Soloist]

I don't mind pointing but interfering with the wildlife, I'm against.

With one glaring exception. Lionfish! A huge lionfish insisted on swimming directly below me on a night dive in Lembeh. I hurled numerous insults at the fish disrespecting its mother while thrusting my pointer in its face. The fish was not impressed or deterred and continued to follow me for over half the dive.

In retrospect the language barrier was an insurmountable problem. Obviously it didn't speak "American".

 

[chillyinCanada]

With one glaring exception. Lionfish! A huge lionfish insisted on swimming directly below me on a night dive in Lembeh. I hurled numerous insults at the fish disrespecting its mother while thrusting my pointer in its face. The fish was not impressed or deterred and continued to follow me for over half the dive.

In retrospect the language barrier was an insurmountable problem. Obviously it didn't speak "American".

Yes, they hunt in our lights. Many have been stung so we need to be careful.

Of course, the trumpet fish will do the same but they aren't as stingy.

Ergo, be careful what you look at and how.

 

[Max Offshore]

Lionfish can be unpredictable but wearing at least a 1mm or 3mm suit and giving them room would be optimal. Diving in current --they usually are down in the coral so hover 3m above...etc --

 

[chillyinCanada]

Lionfish can be unpredictable but wearing at least a 1mm or 3mm suit and giving them room would be optimal. Diving in current --they usually are down in the coral so hover 3m above...etc --

I meant that the lionfish hunt from behind your flashlight, that you hold in your hand and so can be stung on hand or wrist, before you even know they are anywhere near you.

Other than that, I'm an advocate for wearing full suits because of all and any stingies in the water.

 

[Dan]

I meant that the lionfish hunt from behind your flashlight, that you hold in your hand and so can be stung on hand or wrist, before you even know they are anywhere near you.

Other than that, I'm an advocate for wearing full suits because of all and any stingies in the water.

I dove in Indonesia for 18+ years & > 1000 dives, I have seen lionfish using my video lights to hunt for their prey, but have never seen divers got stunk by them.

We are not a threat to them in Indonesia (may be in Caribbean as invasive species), in fact the opposite, we help them hunting for their prey.

The only time someone got stunk by them was when fish collector catching & wrangling them. If we leave them be and our extremities happen to come near to them (which tend to be a slow moving, not the sudden fast moving as in trying to catch them), they just swim away.

 

[chillyinCanada]

Yes, they do just swim away, if you approach them but if they are hunting and are under your hand, you won't see them.

As you know, lionfish don't deliberately sting like a snake strike. It would be more like brushing against hydroid or jellyfish tentacles.

 

[Max Offshore]

Yes, they do just swim away, if you approach them but if they are hunting and are under your hand, you won't see them.

As you know, lionfish don't deliberately sting like a snake strike. It would be more like brushing against hydroid or jellyfish tentacles.

You nailed it, very clear they don't deliberately sting. Cheers.