Lionfish are found in the tropical Pacific and Indian ocean. They are striped and have long fins. Even though these fish are beautiful, they can also be dangerous. There are several reasons that a lionfish invasion has to be stopped.
They Have No Natural Predators
One of the reasons that a lionfish invasion can happen quickly is because they do not have any predators. Sharks won’t even go near the lionfish.
They Are Predators
Lionfish are predators. They prey on other fish. In the Bahamas, lionfish have cut the endemic small-reef fish population by 65 to 95 percent within the past 30 years. That is why people have stepped in to reduce the lionfish population in various areas. They want the native fish species population to recover.
Dangerous to Humans
People who swim in areas with lionfish are putting themselves at risk. Lionfish can sting, which can cause intense pain in the area. In some cases, a lionfish sting can cause paralysis and respiratory distress. The effect that one experiences from being bit by the lionfish will depend on how sensitive they are to the toxins in the fish.
There is no much that you can do if you are stung by a lionfish. You will have to remove the spines and wash the area in hot water. Washing the area in hot water will help your body break down the toxins. You will likely have pain for a few days. Some people have pain in the area for several weeks.
