Steven Teng Period 3

Wanted: Lionfish!
fifty meters. They show a preference for turbid inshore areas and in harbors.

The invading species is

Crimes Committed:

otherwise known as Pterois volitans and Pterois miles. Well known for its ornate beauty, venomous spines, and unique tentacles. Characterized by red, white, and black stripes. Size ranges from 6 cm to 42 cm. Weighs about 480 grams on average. The poison lionfish emits makes a great predator and a threat nearby species including humans.

Two species of Lionfish have been suspected to occupy the East Coast of the US and the Caribbean Sea.

Last count showed a population boom of over 700 percent! Some areas invaded have populations that are more than in the lionfishs native seas!

Pterois pose a threat to the ecosystems they invade. They have become one of the most abundant species in invaded areas.

Pterois prey mostly on small fish, invertebrates, and mollusks. Lionfish most actively feed in the morning.

Due to their feeding on prey fish, lionfish could deteriorate entire reefs and affect food webs. Lionfish also overpopulate reef areas making native species migrate to less desirable spots.

Lionfish can live up to 15 years. Females release two mucus-filled egg clusters frequently, which can contain as many as fifteen thousand eggs.

Lionfish could decrease Atlantic Diversity by over 75 percent!

Lionfish can be found around the seaward edge of reefs and coral, in lagoons, and on rocky surfaces to