The Lionfish Invasion of the Bahamas

Any time you take a creature out of it's natural habitat and put it in an un-natural habitat (such as in article) you have changed the entire eco-system in that region. And could eventually wipe out life form's in that area that are needed for the survival of the rest of the aquatic population.
Danny....

 

Exactly what Danny said. Fish are in certain ecosystems for a reason, and if you take those out, other critters populations will be greatly effected. If one species is whiped out, other species of animals could grow uncontrollably because they are losing predators, while other fish could starve out or be forced to move to ANOTHER ecosystem because of lack of food.

It's a huge deal when you know what's at stake. Just take our word for it that it's a big deal. If been scuba diving in the bahamas, and I saw a significant amount of lionfish while there. It's a spooky feeling watching a group of fish swimming around knowing that they don't belong there.

 

odd. most scientists I have read speculate it was not a "release by hobbyist" but rather a release due to a hurricane removing said aquarium, fish and house.

 

we have the same problem with tilapia here and FW fish from the aquaculture facilities. (they have displaced native FW and brackish fish, as well as some marine fish that spawn in estuaries) despite the promises of the environmentally friendly impact of aquaculture, the impact so far have proven far more devastating than fishing. They are working to get it right though, and prevent escape, but now they are finding out that birds often unintentionally spread the fish...

 

That belief is mentioned in this article:
http://www.3reef.com/forums/environmental/lionfish-hunters-cayman-islands-72316.html

 

Be sure to check this article out:
Lionfish in the Atlantic | Coral Magazine

 

Sorry swagger, maybe I didn't word my response very well. I'm on your side, I was a Biology major and have taken courses on introduction of invasive species. We are having major problems around here with the zebra mussels. Water is nice and clear great for diving but not so great for the native fishes.

Jake

 

Another article on this issue:
Abaco Life » Blog Archive » Lionfish Invade Reefs