According to the research results of many scientists, organisms with a significant level of harm are often alien species. Through trade, migration or sometimes in some incomprehensible way, they are present in an area far from their origin and become a dangerous species in their new home.
Areas such as the Atlantic Ocean, the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean are facing such a marine creature called the red lionfish.
Red lionfish: A fish that gives birth unplanned
Red lionfish (English name is Red lionfish) and has the scientific name Pterois volitans . In addition, this fish is also known by other names such as lionfish or zebrafish.
Red lionfish are known as the beauties of the ocean because they possess an extremely brilliant appearance. The arrangement of white and red stripes on the red lionfish’s body is perfect. It seems that thanks to it, this fish looks longer than its actual size. Lionfish also have eye-catching orange and blue fins mixed with a little white and black, but to say what gives them the name “lion”, one must mention the tapered fin rays. The long, venomous hairs that protect them look just like a lion’s mane.
What is worth noting here is that the outstanding beauty of lionfish is the hidden message that they are very dangerous. It is known that although it cannot cause death in humans, if accidentally pricked by its spines, it can lead to severe pain for several days.
In terms of size, while juveniles are only about 2.5cm, adults can have a length of up to 47cm. This is also the record number that makes the red lionfish the largest lionfish in the ocean.
Like many other potentially harmful alien creatures, lionfish have both a very long lifespan (an average of 10 to 15 years) and a dizzyingly fast reproductive rate. In just 4 days, they can give birth to 30,000 eggs. At this speed, it does not take too long for lionfish to dominate in quantity in any area.
Lionfish are one of the most harmful alien fish species on the planet
Lionfish are native to the Indian and Pacific Oceans, but have become one of the most destructive marine invasive species in the Caribbean and along the East Coast of the United States and the Eastern Continent. Trung Hai.
The explanation for why this fish is present in these places is because some aquarium hobbyists release it into the sea after a period of raising.
As a mainly nocturnal species, their food is almost all other animals living in the same area. Because they are voracious eaters, lionfish often compete and destroy fish species that play an important role in coral reefs such as snapper, grouper,…
It is estimated that just 20 years after the lionfish appeared in the Atlantic Ocean, marine diversity had decreased by 80%.
Lionfish even seriously affect the livelihoods of coastal people because their massive appearance is one of the causes of reducing fishing productivity as well as the number of tourists.
Therefore, in order to control the number of lionfish, conservationists have issued many notices encouraging people to consider them as food and process them into food.
However, lionfish is a toxic fish, so using it as a food is still controversial because if not carefully prepared, it can cause poisoning in people who eat it. However, currently in some restaurants around the world, this fish has appeared on the menu and is considered a dish with a unique flavor.
