The red Lionfish (Pterois volitans), is often called the “scourge of the reef” in the Caribbean due to its highly invasive nature and the significant threat it poses to local marine ecosystems. Native to the Indo-Pacific, lionfish were first reported in the Atlantic Ocean in the mid-1980s and have since spread rapidly throughout the Caribbean. They have no natural predators in this region and are voracious hunters, consuming over 50 different species of fish, including important reef fish like snapper and grouper. This predation disrupts the ecological balance, leading to declines in native fish populations and negatively impacting coral reef health. Additionally, lionfish reproduce quickly, with a single female capable of laying up to 2 million eggs per year. Their venomous spines also pose a hazard to humans, making them a formidable and unwelcome presence on Caribbean reefs.
$149.00 – $600.00
