Invasion of the Lionfish

Posted by Sarah on June 10, 2008

Why Are Lionfish Invading Florida

Dumped aquarium fish threatening native fish in Florida

I just ran across this article - why are Lionfish invading Florida?

Because irresponsible owners are dumping them in the ocean, where they are starting to breed and produce more lionfish.

How Big Are Lionfish

Lionfish can get up to 15 inches long, and if you don’t do your research before you buy one you won’t realize exactly how big that cute little 3 inch long fish in the pet store will get - and how big of a tank it will need when it’s larger.

So instead of buying a new tank that’s big enough for the lionfish, or giving it away or selling it, you just dump it in the ocean, where it has no natural predators, and becomes a threat to the native fish.

Oh yeah - and a threat to divers, anglers, and swimmers, who might stumble upon one and get stung by the fishes venomous spines.

Did I mention that Lionfish are veneomous and their sting can send you to the hospital or kill you?

Maybe the previous owners found that out the hard way, and that’s why they released their fish into the sea.

How Much Damage Can Lionfish Do?

If you’re wondering how much damage a little lionfish can do in the ocean, you’re not alone.

I was shocked when I read

“New studies headed by Mark Hixon of Oregon State University that are about to be published in a peer-reviewed science journal found one lionfish can deplete 79 percent of a reef in just five weeks.

That means coral ecology dies and algae takes over.”

That is a lot of devastation from one lionfish.

I don’t want my fish anymore. What do I do?

If you can’t take care of your pets find someone who can, don’t release them into the ocean.

There are fish lovers everywhere, and one of them is probably willing to take it for you.

Try posting an ad on Craigslist, Kijiji,, your local Freecycle group, your local paper, or any local classified ads - online or not.

Look for local aquarium societies, or local fish forums and message boards and see if they will help you find a new home for your pet fish, or call your local pet stores - some will take fish from you and adopt then out, and some won’t.

If none of them will take the fish ask if you can put up a flyer offering the fish for free?

It can’t hurt to ask, and you weren’t going to make any money on it by releasing it anyways.

Sure it takes time, but in this case taking the time to find someone to properly care for your fish might actually save a life, and it will definitely help prevent the destruction of the natural ecosystem.

Isn’t that worth a little bit of your time?