Reprod. in 1st exotic marine fish est. in state waters

[spawner]

Bio. Conserv. 128 384-390

The western Pacific red lionfish, Pterois volitans (Scorpaenidae), in Florida: Evidence for reproduction and parasitism in the first exotic marine fish established in state waters

Ramon Ruiz-Carusa,*, Richard E. Matheson Jr.a, Daniel E. Roberts Jr.a, Paula E. Whitfieldb

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, 100 Eighth Avenue SE, St. Petersburg, FL 33701-5020, USA

NOAA Beaufort Laboratory, 101 Pivers Island Road, Beaufort, NC 28516, USA

Received 15 February 2005
Accepted 3 October 2005
Available online 18 November 2005

Keywords:
Pterois volitans
Nonindigenous species
Marine fish introductions
Florida

A B S T R A C T
Many exotic fresh-water and brackish-water fish species have become established in Florida waters, but the red lionfish is the first entirely marine species that appears to have become established here. We give a detailed account of the initial collections of adult specimens from off St. Augustine and Jacksonville, including data on morphometrics, meristics, and gonad histology. Our review of historical sightings on Florida reefs and of the specimens reported herein suggests that the most plausible vector for the introduction of this fish was aquarium releases. We discuss our reasons for concluding that this species has probably become established in Florida, summarize the potential danger that these venomous fishes pose to the public, and examine the effect of a parasite hosted by the male lionfish.
We also consider the potential effect of the red lionfish on marine communities. Florida, but limited information on its biology precludes a detailed assessment.

 

[Kalkbreath]

The party boats like King Neptune out of Jax and Sea love out of St Aug report catching only a few lion fish over the past ten years.
One or two lion fish , out of fifty- thousand grouper / snapper each year per boat is hardly cause for alarm.
With 70 percent of all plant life growing in Florida being exotic and from other countries, the billions of exotic landscaping plants like bushes trees and palms have become part of the SunShine states bio flora just fine.
And as for the lion fish not having any predators..........I have an green moray which would kindly object to the silly notion that lion fish dont taste good !

:wink: :wink: :wink:

 

[Anonymous]

lionfish have no natural predators in that part of the ocean, and there have been far more sightings than you allude to being made, kalk

 

[JennM]

The party boats like King Neptune out of Jax and Sea love out of St Aug report catching only a few lion fish over the past ten years.
One or two lion fish , out of fifty- thousand grouper / snapper each year per boat is hardly cause for alarm.
With 70 percent of all plant life growing in Florida being exotic and from other countries, the billions of exotic landscaping plants like bushes trees and palms have become part of the SunShine states bio flora just fine.
And as for the lion fish not having any predators..........I have an green moray which would kindly object to the silly notion that lion fish dont taste good !

:wink: :wink: :wink:

Florida is a mess with exotic birds, mammals and reptiles that are not native. Mankind in our ignorance have released all kinds of things there that shouldn't be there, much to the detriment of the local ecology. It's not a surprise that the waterways have also been polluted with fauna that don't belong there, and in the favourable environment, I'm sure many survive.

There was some speculation also, that some folks dumped their livestock into the ocean in 1992 when Hurricane Andrew loomed - some thought their critters stood a better chance being "free" than dying in a power failure, or being blown to smithereens by a hurricane. :roll:

I was at the Florida Aquarium a few years ago and during one of their little educational "shows" they brought out a plethora of creatures that can be easily seen all over Florida - and none of them were indiginous. Then they went on to inform the guests about the dangers of releasing exotics and the penalties for same.

The same applies to releasing fishes.

Heck I've heard of all kinds of people releasing large Oscars and Plecostamus here into Lake Allatoona No wonder that Pirhana are restricted here - just what we'd need - a school of hungry Pirhana hanging out near the beach where some fool with an open cut happened to be swimming by... :lol:

Unfortunately many people don't realize it's not only stupid, it's also illegal.

Jenn

 

[dizzy]

lionfish have no natural predators in that part of the ocean, and there have been far more sightings than you allude to being made, kalk

It really wouldn't matter if it was a natural predator or not, as long as it learned to eat them. :wink: I remember seeing pictures of a school of black triggers that set in on a large voliton. First they clipped off all his dorsal spines and then they ate it. Perhaps if we're lucky Queen or grey triggers will develop a taste for voliton.

 

[Kalkbreath]

I have had Florida green morrays eat lion fish in the store. ( and live)
The only way for a lion fish swimming in Florida to have a natural predator eat it ......would be for some one to transplant a pacific predator.
Like I said , this story focused on JAx and St Augustine. The party boats see very few lion fish in that area and more importantly NO Baby lion fish!
Scientists spin what they want us to hear.
I have a 50,000 to one lion fish to native fish ratio to prove it aint so.
:wink:

 

[spawner]

Lionfish are a huge problem, more so in the Carolina's. I beleive that UNCW collected some 200 of them on one trip last summer. Plenty of babies out there just have to look in the right place. Lion fish are here to stay, they might not invade florida as badly as other fresh water fish have, but they enjoy NC waters for sure.

 

[bookfish]

The party boats like King Neptune out of Jax and Sea love out of St Aug report catching only a few lion fish over the past ten years.
One or two lion fish , out of fifty- thousand grouper / snapper each year per boat is hardly cause for alarm.
With 70 percent of all plant life growing in Florida being exotic and from other countries, the billions of exotic landscaping plants like bushes trees and palms have become part of the SunShine states bio flora just fine.
And as for the lion fish not having any predators..........I have an green moray which would kindly object to the silly notion that lion fish dont taste good !

:wink: :wink: :wink:

I believe the caulerpa problem started with a small amount of taxifolia being released in Mediterranean. Try to include time in your perspective, for things do change and a snapshot analysis is misleading, particuliarly when talking about non-native, invasive species. How many rabbits do you think started out in Australia?

 

[Anonymous]

hey, it's kalk you're talkin to, the knowledgeable savior of hobbyists, so it can't be true!

 

[spawner]

bookfish, now kalkulations never lie. If you talk to goldstein or seagrest they would have you all spun around on stocking a lake of bass and how many it takes. They total forget that if you introduce an adult animal or two into the wild that is defended or lacks natural predators it can quickly over take things. Then they would bring up the ballast water issue to try to explain how a fish got here. I would love to see a lion fish larvae make it in a ships ballast.

Rabbits got into Australia because some stupid fool (can't remember his name) was bored and wanted some thing to shot, next thing you know you have 100's millions of them.

We are the stupid fools here, same thing with the taxifolia in the med. its all on us.

goodnews is that we don't have to fly around the world to find Lionfish anymore, just hit a good wreck or two off NC, maybe collect some newly settled juv. in Long Island Sound. For that matter you can come swim with yellow and purple tangs of Hawaii and the Red Sea right here in Florida.

 

[Robwsup]

Are there actually Zebrasoma tangs in Florida waters now?

 

[PeterIMA]

Yes, There are Hawaiian Yellow Tangs and Red Sea Purple Tangs off of Palm Beach, Florida. So far, we don't have evidence they are reproducing.

Peter

 

[Anonymous]

So is it legal to catch them? Do you need a permit

 

[dizzy]

They can only be taken by hook and line and have to be at least 12".

 

[clarionreef]

The way the system works... will have it illegal to collect invasive species soon in the area they have invaded like jacksons chameleons on Hawaii.
You will need a permit and an enhancement stamp to remove them from the habitat they are being invasive in. :lol:
Gotta love the bureaucratic, pseudo science, semi environmental matrix.
Steve

 

[treeman]

They can only be taken by hook and line and have to be at least 12".

I have read that there are no rules about invasive marine species in Florida. Particularly the tangs etc. You are allowed to catch and keep them with no size limits. I am looking for the info now.

 

[dizzy]

treeman,
What is your best guess on how many purple tangs there are in Florida waters. How many yellows? thanks,
Mitch

 

[spawner]

Mitch, I normally see about a dozen yellow tangs with a few purples in the mix. Its not really a problem and will never be on like lion fish but just an interesting place for all these animals to keep showing up.

andy

 

[Kalkbreath]

Its more then likely that the Dive industry is to blame for the lion fish in NC.
Its apparent that they (the dive tours) like the lionfish being there, they dont seem too eager to remove the fish when they see them. Its quite easy to collect them with a gun or net if they chose to.
Perhaps the MO industry will step in and solve the problem,
Big lion fish are difficult and expensive to ship from Indoneasia.( and rare)
I will personally offer to purchase any show lionfish from a NC GA or FLA diver at $150 per fish plus shipping really big fish at 300 plus.

Problem solved.

 

[clarionreef]

Kalk,
As a commercial collector, I'd charge 25 bucks to remove each red lionfish.

Your offer of $150.00 is generous.

I figure that if a government agent removed a lionfish he'd charge $400.00 and $250.00 for the paperwork. :roll:

An NGO would charge $1,400.00 each and not catch any....while de-crying the infestation. 8O

I think I'll reconfigure and offer to decimate the lionfish supply for somewhere in the middle.

Afterall, since MAC has shown that it takes millions to train a few divers so we must be a far more valueable profession then we ever thought.
Thankyou MAC !!
Steve
LIONFISH REMOVAL AGENCY