By 2010, the Lionfish had become such a hazard to marine life in the Caribbean that several jurisdictions encouraged people to catch and eat these Asian invaders.
In 2011, the promotion is changing to "Kill but do not eat". What has changed? The Lionfish is not only venomous and voracious, but may also carry a biotoxin. These Lionfish facts may save your life!
Origins of the Lionfish
The Lionfish originated in the Indian Ocean and Pacific Ocean. Its range extends from just north of Australia and to the east, then northwestward to just south of Japan and Korea, and west through much of Micronesia.
Lionfish inhabit waters from the shallows to a depth of 50 metres, favouring rocky or coral reefs.
It is also known as the Dragon Fish, Lion Fish, Red Firefish, Scorpionfish and Turkey Fish. The scientific name is Pterois volitans, in the Scorpaenidae family. It has many more names in languages as different as Vietnamese, Swahili, Malayalam, Arabic, Samoan, French and Swedish. The Lionfish is not to be confused with the "Sea Lion", the whiskered mammal with flippers that so often claps and balances a ball upon its nose.
How Lionfish Gained a Finhold in the Caribbean
Since Lionfish are strikingly attractive in a large salt-water aquarium, they have been imported as exotic pets. Although they may first have escaped into the Biscayne Bay region in 1992 due to Hurricane Andrew's damage to a beachside aquarium, it is likely that further specimens have been released by hobby aquarists since then.
The Competitive Advantages of the Lionfish
The Lionfish seem to have few predators or parasites in the Atlantic Ocean. They dine on cardinalfish, damselfish, parrotfish, young grouper, and crustaceans such as lobster.
Once they are found near a specific reef, native fish species decline to about 20% of their usual numbers in that location. The Lionfish seem to be voracious and very successful in hunting.
The Venomous Lionfish Sting is Dangerous to Humans
The long spines of the Lionfish contain venom which is painful and potentially fatal to humans. All the spines, whether pelvic, dorsal or anal, can deliver toxins causing local pain and blistering. Serious symptoms include changes in blood pressure, delirium or seizures, congestive heart failure, loss of consciousness, and possibly death.
The standard first aid treatment for Lionfish sting is to immerse the stung area in hot water to neutralize some of the venom, while arranging for professional medical treatment.
Revising the Lionfish Threat: Ciguatera Poisoning
In its native Indo-Pacific range, the Lionfish is a valuable food source for people. It is economically important for attracting tourists and as an export to aquarists around the world.
Florida and a number of Caribbean countries had encouraged fishing derbies as well as touting this species as the making of a good meal.
Recently, however, biologists in St. Maarten found that half their captured Lionfish contained a biotoxin that can often lead to ciguatera poisoning. This biotoxin originates with poisonous algae. It accumulates in the predatory fish, because they eat many smaller algae-eating fish.
Mild ciguatera poisoning symptoms include nausea, diarrhea and vomiting. Severe cases may progress through paralysis to death. Professional medical treatment is always well-advised.
Other fish that may lead to ciguatera food poisoning include barracuda and jacks.
The take-home message is to avoid eating Lionfish in a region with a history of ciguatera poisoning from any species of fish. One might still eat Lionfish in other regions with no history of ciguatera poisoning.
Cautious fishing for the venomous Lionfish is still encouraged; but dining on Lionfish is now also a riskier venture due to ciguatera fish poisoning.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be used for diagnosis or to guide treatment without the opinion of a health professional. Any reader who is concerned about his or her health should contact a doctor for advice.
References:
- Mike McEwan, Aquaria Central, "A Fierce Predator", 1998, referenced Nov. 30, 2011.
- Univ. of Florida, "Marine Invaders: The Lionfish", PDF referenced Nov. 30, 2011.
- Robert H. Robbins, Florida Museum of Natural History, "Red Lionfish", 2007(?), referenced Nov. 30, 2011.
Mike DeHaan - Copyright (c) Mike DeHaan, B. Math., of DeHaan Services. Well written and well researched freelance articles; ghost writing for clients.
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