Conservation

Lionfish are venomous members of the scorpionfish family, native to the Indo-Pacific region. In the Atlantic and Caribbean, they have few natural predators and reproduce rapidly, making them one of the most damaging invasive reef species in the region.

The first Atlantic sighting occurred off Florida in the mid-1980s, and they spread rapidly. St. Croix recorded its first lionfish in 2012.

Two likely factors contributed to their arrival. First, they may have been released from personal saltwater aquariums. Second, they may have been transported in ballast water and introduced when it was discharged near shore. Lionfish are remarkably resilient and can live at extreme depths, which helps them migrate from island to island throughout the Caribbean.

In these non-native waters, their venomous spines also provide strong protection against most would-be predators.

Introducing a new species disrupts the natural balance of an ecosystem. Lionfish are no exception. They primarily eat small shrimp and juvenile reef fish, often consuming fish before they reach sexual maturity. Over time, that reduces reef fish populations and weakens reef health.

Lionfish reach sexual maturity at about one year old and can release around 10,000 eggs every three days, allowing their numbers to grow incredibly fast. That explosive reproduction is exactly what divers and fishers are working to counteract through consistent removal.