Invasive lionfish now being colleced from the Caribbean and offered for sale to the aquarium trade

Animated Chronological Map of Invasive Lionfish Distribution in US Waters - courtesty USGS — Map Credit: USGS

The “Plague” of Lionfishinvading the Caribbean and Florida continues. One of the latest solutions to at least control their populations has been to popularize the Caribbean Lionfish as a target for spearfishers and haute cuisine for your dinnerplate! To quote marine aquarium author Matthew L. Wittenrich, fresh back from a trip to the Caribbean to assess the situation; “Humans have truly proved throughout history that the way to eradication (or extinction) is through exploitation.” I (and many others) have been saying it for a couple years now…why aren’t we collecting these guys like crazy and selling them into the aquarium trade?!

Matthrew L. Wittenrich with Bimini Lionfish, 2010 — Marine Aquarium author Matthew L. Wittenrich in Bimini in the last week, with one of many "Atlantic Lionfish". Photo by and courtesy of Sarah Smalley

Well, the wait is over. I saw my first Carribean Lionfish at Old Orchard Aquarium in Skokie, IL a few months ago. Just a few weeks ago, I noticed that “Diver Tom” of Tom’s Caribbean Tropicals is now listingCaribbean Lionfish for sale, online, direct to your door. With asking prices ranging from$20 for a small Carribean Lionfishto$40 for a large Carribean Lionfish(+ shipping of course), anyone who just wants a “Lionfish” now has a better alternative than a wild caught one from the Indo-Pacific. Of course, this author is left wondering why the photograph and species listing from Diver Tom lists these fish asPterois radiataandP. antennatavs. the species that are known to be taking over the reefs (P. miles/P. volitans). Of course, it’s a Lionfish being removed from the Caribbean…do you really care exactly which species it is so long as it’s OFF THE REEF?!

So help deal with the problem in our home waters and TAKE an invasive species off our reefs. Admittedly, while the one-fish-at-a-time approach may largely be a feel-good victory rather than anything substantial, it is still a more responsible choice if all you’re really looking for is a good ‘ole generic Lionfish! You can find the Caribbean Lionfish in the “All Other Fish” section of the DiverTom.com website.

Matt Pedersen

彼得森马特是一个互动的软件开发人员and part-time fly fishing guide originally from Chicago, IL and current living in Duluth, MN, USA. Additionally, Matt has experience as a professional orchid breeder and certified fly rod builder. Matt has been a marine aquarist for 23 years, and an aquarist for 28+. After spending time on every side of the aquarium industry (retail, commercial and private maintenance & installation, wholesale, hatchery), he currently considers himself a "professional hobbyist". Most recently, Matt has currently spawned 22 species of marine fish, successfully raising 8 of them to date including one worldwide first (the Harlequin Filefish, Oxymonacanthus longirostris), as well as attempted another 6 invertebrate species to date. Most all of this was accomplished with less than 100 gallons of total working capacity, and all in closed culture. In 2010, Matt Pedersen was selected as the breeder of choice to work with the now famous "PNG Lightning Maroon Clownfish" from the SEASMART program, and chronicles the efforts to propagate this one-of-a-kind fish online at The Lightning Project. Matt Pedersen is credited with starting MOFIB (Marine Ornamental Fish & Invertebrate Breeder's Association) and writing for multiple publications including Coral, Koralle, Practical Fish Keeping, Reef Hobbyist Magazine and Reef Builders. Matt has spoken at numerous aquarium clubs and events from coast to coast. He currently sits on the MBI (Marine Breeding Initiative) Council, a project dedicated to bringing the concept of a unified Marine Breeder's Award Program to hobbyist organizations across the country and around the globe. In 2009, Matt was awarded "Aquarist of the Year" honors by both IMAC West and MASNA in recognition of his accomplishments and contributions to the marine aquarium hobby. Last updated October, 2010.