Lion Fish

The Perfect Predator

• http://www.nas.er.usgs.gov/taxgroup/fish/Lionfishanimation.gif

What makes them better?

• Lionfish live for 15 years and reach a size of about 20” and 3 pounds.

• Lionfish inhabit all habitat types and depths. They have been found in 1000 feet and in the intracoastal waterways at 2 ft.

• Lionfish become sexually mature in one year and can produce over 2 million eggs per year. Reproduction occurs about every 4 days.

• Lionfish can reach densities of over 200 adults per acre.• Lionfish are carnivores and will eat anything that fits in their mouth.

They hunt at night. They will use their fins to herd fry to one location and eat them.

• At some sites, it is estimated the Lionfish have reduced their prey by up to 90%.

How can we stop them?

Lion Tamer

Kill ’em All!

• No chance in ….• Scientist estimate if you kill 27% of the

population in an area, you will keep the population from expanding.

• If we remove from all sites we dive, that would keep up. We canot remove them from 1000 ft deep and there are many areas we don’t dive.

Handling Lion FishSafely or(Ouch!)

• Toxic sting• First Aid• Neutralizing

Remove 13 Dorsal Spines

Remove 2 Pectoral Fins

Remove 3 Anal Fins

Preparing for the Feast

• Cleaning• Recipes• Let’s Eat

First cut across

Score the skin down the spine

Score up the bottom to the belly

Pull the skin off

Filet

Remove Filet

Lionfish Ceviche

• Cut your filets into peas and carrots size chunks• Add chopped onion, celery, and red and yellow bell

pepper. Cut about the same size and about the same amount as the fillets.

• Add finely chopped jalapeno pepper. 1 should do it. No seeds!

• Add juice from fresh limes, about 1 lime per 4 ounces of filets.

• Finely chop a small handful of fresh Cilantro and toss it in.

• A little salt and pepper and refrigerate for about 4 hours. Better if left overnight.