It’s no secret: Lionfish suck! At least if you are in the Caribbean, where the spikey buggers aren’t supposed to be anyway...
On the bright side, the Roatan Marine Park has a program that allows divers like us to combat this destructive invasive species. So if you needed any more reason to bring a spear on your next dive with us, here are 5 reasons you should!
Lionfish reproduce at an incredibly high rate.
Seriously, they are the rabbits of the sea. Female lionfish can release up to 30,000 eggs every 7 days, making it easier for them to occupy new space and outnumber native species.
They eat babies!
The cruel and heartless lionfish will make a baby buffet out of it’s chosen area of reef; potentially reducing the number of native juvenile fish by 79% in as little as 5 weeks.
Lionfish are gluttons.
Their stomach can expand up to 30 times it’s natural size - and they aren’t picky. Any and every fish is a goner if the lionfish can get it’s mouth around them. One lionfish was recently found with 60 victims in it’s stomach!
Lionfish have 18 venomous spines that don’t care about your dermis layer.
Long ago, the greedy lionfish had a chat with mother nature and demanded to be adorned with 18 venomous spines that deliver an extremely painful sting. That’s just rude. (We highly recommend carrying a zoo keeper on your hunt to prevent accidental stings.)
Lionfish have no known predators outside of their native habitat.
Boy, that’s a problem! Although triggerfish, grouper, and eels have been reported to eat them in the Caribbean. Luckily there are divers like Irma who can defend the reef with their Lionfish License!
So there you have it! But for all the negatives we have to say there is one positive thing about them….
They are delicious!
So pack your bags, grab your spear, and let’s make some ceviche!
