Lionfish Research Paper
The Invasion of Lionfish
Did you know that almost eighty percent of the fish living on a reef could be killed by a single fish that is only about the size of a human hand? This fish happens to be called the lionfish and is mostly known for its beautiful features and deadly poison. Lionfish are indigenous to the Pacific Ocean; however, they have recently invaded the Atlantic Ocean and are growing in population at an uncontrollable rate. Marine biologists and even everyday snorkelers fear the dangers of these fish and have even started taking the matters of getting rid of them into their own hands. On the other hand doctors, chefs, and even snorkelers consider lionfish to be very useful and entertaining. According to marine biologists, the …show more content…
Although lionfish might appear small and pretty, they are fierce predators that constantly hunt for their prey (“Lionfish decimating” 1). Mark Albins, a student doctor who was working with Hixon, says that about eighty percent of the fish living on a single reef can be killed by a lionfish in as little time as five weeks. He also says that lionfish are practically fearless and often consume preys that are almost as big as the lionfish themselves.
In addition, the coral reef itself depends on these fish for numerous reasons, and because the lionfish are eating all the fish, the reef suffers (lionfish decimating 2). Hixon states that the lionfish often preys on parrot fish, which are herbivores that eat the weeds and grass of the reef. The problem is that when all the parrot fish have been eaten, the reef becomes encompassed by grass and weeds and eventually dies (Lionfish decimating 3).
These deadly effects that lionfish have on coral reefs and the fish that live on them also have a negative impact on the surrounding marine life. Hixon states that coral reefs are a major part of the water’s ecosystems and when you damage them all the marine organisms that live of these reefs or the fish that live around the reef will be negatively …show more content…
This shows that lionfish, with their fearless attitudes, will sting anything that comes too close. A single prick from a lionfish can cause hours of pain and even paralysis (Gupta 1). I myself have been stung by a lionfish on the finger, so I know to keep a close eye on them when I am snorkeling. The problem is that lionfish do an excellent job of blending in with the reef. Lionfish have golden brown and white stripes which help them camouflage with the reef, and their fins and tentacles are long and wavy, giving them the appearance of a piece of seaweed. This is why lionfish are not only dangerous to fish but also to humans.
Lionfish do have a few positive qualities in that they make beautiful pets, boost tourism in places where snorkeling is prominent, and may provide advancements in the field of medicine. Even though lionfish are extremely venomous, people still travel all around the world to catch a glimpse of these amazingly beautiful fish (Gupta 3). Lionfish are also attracting people to places like the Bahamas and Florida Keys because they make a delicious meal (Gupta 3). The texture
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Did you know that almost eighty percent of the fish living on a reef could be killed by a single fish that is only about the size of a human hand? This fish happens to be called the lionfish and is mostly known for its beautiful features and deadly poison. Lionfish are indigenous to the Pacific Ocean; however, they have recently invaded the Atlantic Ocean and are growing in population at an uncontrollable rate. Marine biologists and even everyday snorkelers fear the dangers of these fish and have even started taking the matters of getting rid of them into their own hands. On the other hand doctors, chefs, and even snorkelers consider lionfish to be very useful and entertaining. According to marine biologists, the …show more content…
Although lionfish might appear small and pretty, they are fierce predators that constantly hunt for their prey (“Lionfish decimating” 1). Mark Albins, a student doctor who was working with Hixon, says that about eighty percent of the fish living on a single reef can be killed by a lionfish in as little time as five weeks. He also says that lionfish are practically fearless and often consume preys that are almost as big as the lionfish themselves.
In addition, the coral reef itself depends on these fish for numerous reasons, and because the lionfish are eating all the fish, the reef suffers (lionfish decimating 2). Hixon states that the lionfish often preys on parrot fish, which are herbivores that eat the weeds and grass of the reef. The problem is that when all the parrot fish have been eaten, the reef becomes encompassed by grass and weeds and eventually dies (Lionfish decimating 3).
These deadly effects that lionfish have on coral reefs and the fish that live on them also have a negative impact on the surrounding marine life. Hixon states that coral reefs are a major part of the water’s ecosystems and when you damage them all the marine organisms that live of these reefs or the fish that live around the reef will be negatively …show more content…
This shows that lionfish, with their fearless attitudes, will sting anything that comes too close. A single prick from a lionfish can cause hours of pain and even paralysis (Gupta 1). I myself have been stung by a lionfish on the finger, so I know to keep a close eye on them when I am snorkeling. The problem is that lionfish do an excellent job of blending in with the reef. Lionfish have golden brown and white stripes which help them camouflage with the reef, and their fins and tentacles are long and wavy, giving them the appearance of a piece of seaweed. This is why lionfish are not only dangerous to fish but also to humans.
Lionfish do have a few positive qualities in that they make beautiful pets, boost tourism in places where snorkeling is prominent, and may provide advancements in the field of medicine. Even though lionfish are extremely venomous, people still travel all around the world to catch a glimpse of these amazingly beautiful fish (Gupta 3). Lionfish are also attracting people to places like the Bahamas and Florida Keys because they make a delicious meal (Gupta 3). The texture
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