A cool-looking species of fish is now hanging out in different waters. What's so bad about that? It turns out that they were first reported there around the 1980s (which was around 30 years ago...WHERE has the time gone) and have since increased in number. Because this is nature we're talking about, there has to be a balance. If invasive lionfish numbers are increasing, something else must be diminishing.
I read an article detailing a study of the effect of lionfish on other coral reef fish in New Providence Island, Bahamas. To view the article, click here:
Invasive Lionfish Drive Atlantic Coral Reef Fish Declines
These researchers observed that the populations of lionfish prey decreased by 65% over the course of two years. This occurred simultaneously with an increase of lionfish to comprise approx. 40% of the predator population. Makes sense. They look like lions and eat like them too!
Lionfish domination in this coral reef area (and really all areas they have invaded) may have long-lasting damage on these aquatic communities and their structures. However, it is difficult to see those damages now.
Source:
Green SJ, Akins JL, Maljković A, Côté IM (2012) Invasive Lionfish Drive Atlantic Coral Reef Fish Declines. PLoS ONE 7(3): e32596. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0032596
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