The Mighty Lionfish
Those markings are beautiful, but from this angle they give him the cutest little sad fish-face ever!
One of the many wonders seen at the Tybee Island Marine Science Center.
_______________________________________________
** It should be noted, per the ANS Task Force, lionfish were first detected in Florida in the 1990’s and are now well established throughout most of the Caribbean to Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. Juvenile lionfish have also been found as far north as New York and Rhode Island. These fish are not expected to be able to over winter in the cold northern waters; however, warming ocean conditions may permanently expand the range of this fish along much of the eastern coast of the United States. The lionfish invasion in the North Western Atlantic and Caribbean represents one of the most rapid marine invasions in history. A recent study found a tenfold increase in their abundance from 2004 to 2008 in parts of the Atlantic and Caribbean.
Their initial introduction is thought to have occurred during Hurricane Andrew in 1992 when at least six lionfish escaped from a broken beachside aquarium near Biscayne Bay. The continued release of unwanted lionfish by hobbyists is thought to be a cause of additional introductions and the range expansion of the lionfish.
Never release aquarium fish into the wild. Report any sightings of lionfish to the Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force.
_______________________
Please note - There is another photo attached to this main shot, but Flickr's new changes don't let you see them because the comments start on the last page and not the first page.
The Mighty Lionfish
Those markings are beautiful, but from this angle they give him the cutest little sad fish-face ever!
One of the many wonders seen at the Tybee Island Marine Science Center.
_______________________________________________
** It should be noted, per the ANS Task Force, lionfish were first detected in Florida in the 1990’s and are now well established throughout most of the Caribbean to Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. Juvenile lionfish have also been found as far north as New York and Rhode Island. These fish are not expected to be able to over winter in the cold northern waters; however, warming ocean conditions may permanently expand the range of this fish along much of the eastern coast of the United States. The lionfish invasion in the North Western Atlantic and Caribbean represents one of the most rapid marine invasions in history. A recent study found a tenfold increase in their abundance from 2004 to 2008 in parts of the Atlantic and Caribbean.
Their initial introduction is thought to have occurred during Hurricane Andrew in 1992 when at least six lionfish escaped from a broken beachside aquarium near Biscayne Bay. The continued release of unwanted lionfish by hobbyists is thought to be a cause of additional introductions and the range expansion of the lionfish.
Never release aquarium fish into the wild. Report any sightings of lionfish to the Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force.
_______________________
Please note - There is another photo attached to this main shot, but Flickr's new changes don't let you see them because the comments start on the last page and not the first page.