Pterois Volitans Floridian

Who says you gotta go to the Indo-Pacific to photograph a Lionfish?!?! This was taken today on a dive in West Palm Beach, FLORIDA.

..Or Whip Coral Shrimps?!?! Second time I see one of these little fellas.

Lion

I think these are the ones that escaped the marine exhibition as fry when the tanks were cleaned out!

Nice shot Laz.

..And for those of you who think I might have escaped to the Indo-Pacific without telling anyone.. Here's proof I'm in Florida (or atleast the Americas).

A West Indian Manatee...

Cracking shot Laz - Hate you BIGTIME

The Cuban ones have beards!

Hey folks ! HAPPY NEW YEAR !

nice shots ! sure the lion fish escaped from somewhere, the shrimp however is native to Florida and the Caribbean region: it's most probably Pseudopontonides principis, or (less likely) one of the Neopontonides species

I don't have the revised Humann & Deloach's Reef Creature Guide (will buy it soon), but I know that the revised edition contains a quite complete section of the W Atlantic pontoniine shrimps, I am sure you will find your species there - by thge way IT WOULD BE NICE IF SOMEBODY COULD CONFIRM (OR CORRECT) MY ID

both genera are very closely related to the IWP genus Pontonides and the tropical E Pacific Veleronia, most species are associated with antipatharians and gorgonians

cheerio

Art

The shrimp however is native to Florida and the Caribbean region: it's most probably Pseudopontonides principis, or (less likely) one of the Neopontonides species

I would agree that it is Pseudopontonides principis

M

Great to see the Atlantic lionfish shot - the best one I have seen from the Atlantic! My guess is that it is more likely released than escaped as juvs. Or it is part of a local breeding population.

I know of a couple of lionfish sightings in Bermuda - where there is very little chance of local release as aquarium fish are not allowed to be imported into Bermuda. As well as sightings off Florida I have also heard of regular sightings of the Carolinas. Which all point to a breeding population in Florida waters.

There are also regular sightings of Indo-Pacific Angelfish and Batfish off Florida (again common aquarium fish that can out grow their homes and be released).

Alex

Great to see the Atlantic lionfish shot - the best one I have seen from the Atlantic! My guess is that it is more likely released than escaped as juvs. Or it is part of a local breeding population.

 

I know of a couple of lionfish sightings in Bermuda - where there is very little chance of local release as aquarium fish are not allowed to be imported into Bermuda. As well as sightings off Florida I have also heard of regular sightings of the Carolinas. Which all point to a breeding population in Florida waters.

 

There are also regular sightings of Indo-Pacific Angelfish and Batfish off Florida (again common aquarium fish that can out grow their homes and be released).

 

Alex

Just to let you know - Florida Fisheries and Wildlife has asked that Lionfish sightings be reported to them and that if a spearfisherman sees one in Florida waters they should shoot them (with the expected 'be careful' disclaimer). They have no natural predators in Florida and have a voracious appetite which is not a good combination locally.

The last of the Pacific Batfish were rounded up in Key Largo last March (they had joined a school of Atlantic Spadefish often seen on the wreck of the Benwood) and there have been no further reports.

Haven't seen or heard reports of any Indo-Pacific Angelfish myself, so can't comment.

M

I think that is a rediculous statement by the fisheries... Were there all of a sudden 7 or 8 million lionfish, maybe, but isolated communities offer absolutely no threat to any current fish populations and may actually provide a balance on the reefs they have settled around. What's to say they were not there only a hundred years ago anyway.

No known predators is bullshit too.

Lionfish are preyed upon by groupers and moray eels, plenty of those in and around florida. Moray also eat scorpionfish, and grouper higher in the chain; eat moray.

I think that is rediculous statement by the fisheries... Were there all of a sudden 7 or 8 million lionfish, maybe, but isolated communities offer absolutely no threat to any current fish populations and may actually provide a balance on the reefs they have settled around. What's to say they were not there only a hundred years ago anyway.

It seems that lionfish are being spotted with regularity from North Carolina to South Florida. That's a large geographical area and I'm no marine fisheries expert but that would seem to me to indicate a breeding population. Perhaps, 7 to 8 million is not as outlandish as it seems. I think the American Lionfish is here to stay.

Yes, but not in any great numbers in any particular area.

The Red Sea for example (Comparable coastal area) has reefs (1/2 km dive sites) with up to 40 lionfish.

I think that is rediculous statement by the fisheries... Were there all of a sudden 7 or 8 million lionfish, maybe, but isolated communities offer absolutely no threat to any current fish populations and may actually provide a balance on the reefs they have settled around. What's to say they were not there only a hundred years ago anyway.

No known predators is bullshit too.

Lionfish are preyed upon by groupers and moray eels, plenty of those in and around florida. Moray also eat scorpionfish, and grouper higher in the chain; eat moray.

I think they have every right to be concerned about an introduced species that they are totally unsure about the effects of introduction.

With any introduced species there is the chance that it could have a devastating effect on the native species in the area such as rabbits did in Australia, or ferral cats in New Zealand or even Zebra Mussels in various lakes. I am trying to remember the name of the fresh water fish that has destroyed several native species in fresh water in the USA as well. Foxes and other ferral animals have reduced many of Australia's native animals to extintiction. Goats have destroyed native plant life and caused deserts in many countries. Introduced species in general are dangerous to the native wildlife.

An introduced species can destroy an unsuspecting or unprepared native species very quickly and if a population takes hold, the effects can be devastating.

If Fisheries & Wildlife can nip it in the butt early then I believe they should absolutely do so. They are hugely concerned about the Lionfish as it is an introduced predator.

Right now we know of no known predators for the Lionfish in Florida. Just because certain breeds of Groupers and Morays in other areas of the world eat Lionfish doesn't mean that the local breeds of the same family do or even can prey on Lionfish in Florida. The Lionfish looks nothing like any other native fish in the caribbean and I am not sure of any predator even being willing to try and eat something totally foreign to them.

Conformed reports (with supporting images) of Lionfish have been increasing from North Carolina down to West Palm Beach. I have no doubt there is a breeding population and it may already be too late.

M

The only thing fisheries have to worry about is humans removing key species... That is unless lionfish are eating groupers, sharks and the like, it's not an apex predator; Lionfish are only adding a link into excisting food chain, a fact that will keep their numbers in check naturally without some maniac using a spear gun.

It is a member of the same family as scorpionfish which are already an accepted, established species afterall.

The idea that just because a species is new the rest of the localised populus will not eat it is also preposterous: If it's small enough they will eat it, its called survival not a la carte!

This is obviously a very debateable topic and one subject to both emotional and rational approaches. Overall, I tend to agree with Bob, and I have to admit that I'm thrilled with the prospects of seeing lionfish in the Caribbean only a two-hour flight from home.

Jim

Hello,

Yes, we can find now lion fish on the NC wrecks.

I haven't seen any this year (about 10 - 15 dives) but I have seen a small one last year.

I didn't had a digital camera at the time so I couldn't shoot any macro but I have pictures of them if anybody is intrested.

I'll try to go more this year and hopefuly I'll have my digicam and take some good macro.

Vlad

Hi Vlad,

Yes, by all means post them.

Cheers,

Bob

PS don't let fisheries know!

OK,

Here are the pictures of the lion fish.

Unfortunately quality is not too good since I had just flooded my digital camera (before my first dive with it ...) so I had to use my Bonica film camera but you can still tell it is a lion fish.

The shots were taken on the wreck of Papoose off Beaufort NC.

http://24.74.150.92/all_my_pics/Beaufort_1...d/lion_fish.htm

http://24.74.150.92/all_my_pics/Beaufort_1.../lion_fish2.htm

http://24.74.150.92/all_my_pics/Beaufort_1.../lion_fish3.htm

http://24.74.150.92/all_my_pics/Beaufort_1.../lion_fish4.htm

http://24.74.150.92/all_my_pics/Beaufort_1.../lion_fish5.htm

http://24.74.150.92/all_my_pics/Beaufort_1.../lion_fish6.htm

I am looking forward to start going again this year.

Vlad

Thanks Vlad, I had anticipated that the North America's may have more than one species of Lionfish and this confirms it.

Hi Bob,

I'm confused. I looked at the shots and both fish look like P. volitans to me. VLAD's shots are of a younger fish and Laz's are of an older fish.

Cheers

James