Jan 19 2009
Beautiful, but deadly.
The Lionfish. Swimming the oceans with grace and beauty. Like snowflakes, each one slightly different from the next with one exception, a single snowflake isn’t deadly…but a single Lionfish, IS.
Dramatic enough for ya? I couldn’t help it! I think these creatures are just lovely!
Keep your distance though, as beautiful as they are, there’s more to them that meets the eye. As I stated, life will find a way and the Lionfish is doing just that:
As reported on TCNews.com: Top scientists are warning about an impending invasion of a poisonous fish into Florida’s waters.
The lionfish, a native of the Pacific Ocean, is both gorgeous and dangerous. Many people may have never seen a lionfish in the waters surrounding Florida, but that will soon change.
Scientists don’t use the word “invasion” lightly, but that’s exactly what they are predicting of the exotic-looking lionfish.
The poisonous tips on the lionfish’s fins could present a danger to people who swim, dive or work in Florida waters.
Aquarium manager Anthony Bartolome said he has been stung five times by lionfish.
“It pretty much burns like fire,” Bartolome said.
The pain from a lionfish sting lasts for about 15 to 20 minutes. The lionfish’s sting is so serious it can send victims to the hospital and even kill them.
“There is no anti-venom for this,” said Lad Akins, executive director of Reef Environmental Education Foundation (REEF).
Experts are so concerned about the impending invasion of lionfish they are desperately trying to warn the public.
“They’re also very bold fish, especially in this new Atlantic range where it appears that they have few, if any, predators,” Akins stated.
Lionfish have no predators because they do not belong in the Atlantic Ocean. There is nothing here to eat them or stop them from eating Florida’s reef fish.
When lionfish grow too big, aquarium owners begin dumping the fish right into the Atlantic Ocean.
Now they are breeding at a rapid pace, experts said.
Scientists and volunteers are feverishly trying to fight the invasion of lionfish.
