Effects of the Lionfish

From the previous posts, we see that lionfish are insatiable predators with the potential of wiping out the fishes in our country’s coral reefs. While it is important to mention that extensive studies of predation on lionfish have not been reported, the apparent paucity of natural predators may be due, in part, to the defensive dorsal, anal, and pelvic spines of lionfish, which deliver potent venom that may be fatal to fishes¹. 
These fishes that are preyed on by the lionfish serve many different purposes in the coral reef ecosystems that they reside and also, for humans for economic value.

How are these coral reef fishes important?

·       Lionfish have the potential to decrease the abundance of ecologically important species, such as parrotfishes and other herbivorous reef fishes, which are crucial for preventing seaweeds from overgrowing corals ^{2, 3}.

·         Also, other species of smaller fishes that are preyed on, additionally act as revenue for fishermen, as they would go out in our seas, close to Buccoo Reef in Tobago to get these small meaty fish that people like to eat, and because of the low number of these fish due to the heavy predation of them by the lionfish, fishermen are at a loss and either get a lack of or no fish at all to sell and obtain money.

·         Additionally, restaurants will have a decrease in the amount of sea food they have available; as similarly, their fish supply is lessened due to the lionfish. Many of the restaurants in Trinidad and Tobago sell seafood, as they are islands, and this would cause them to be at a disadvantage as their supply is decreased.

Photo by Matthew R.

Photo by Trip Advisor

Photo from ClipArt

Due to the constant feeding on these smaller fishes by the lionfish, it doesn’t have that much time to replenish to be able to have enough for fishermen and restaurants to get their supply in order to make money for themselves or their company. 

However, the current geographic extent and rapid population growth of lionfish in the Atlantic makes complete eradication of this invasive species untenable. Nonetheless, it would be prudent for affected nations to initiate targeted lionfish control efforts as soon as possible.⁴

Photo by the NOAA, National Ocean Agency

References:

1.    Allen GR, Eschmeyer WN (1973) Turkeyfishes at Eniwetok. Pac Discovery 26:3–11

2.    Williams WI, Polunin PN (2001) Large-scale associations between macroalgal cover and grazer biomass on middepth reefs in the Caribbean. Coral Reefs 19:358–366

3.    Mumby PJ, Dahlgren CP, Harborne AR, Kappel CV and others (2006) Fishing, trophic cascades, and the process of grazing on coral reefs. Science 311:98–101

4.   Albins MA, Hixon MA (2008) Invasive Indo-Pacific lionfish Pterois volitans reduce recruitment of Atlantic coral-reef fishes. Marine Ecology Progress Series 367: 233–238.