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Ten or twelve years ago the lion fish was first observed on the east coast of North America
Today, they’re a common sight and considered an invasive species.
Lion fish have a voracious appetite. They eat huge amounts of marine organism like small fish, clams and crustaceans.
We have found as many as six different species of animals in their stomach after dissection.
Lion fish have a unique way of feeding. They have barbells on their mouth that imitates seaweed and it flows in the current.
When a crustacean sees it, it thinks it is something to eat.
It will approach closely and once close enough, the lion fish will suck it right in.
Lion fish have few enemies, thought moraine eels, many groupers and sharks will eat them.
To keep the numbers in check, sport fishing is encouraged. The only real effective way of finding and catching lion fish are by spear fishing.
They are pretty brave and they will allow divers to come very near them, to be speared effectively.
Like the fang of a snake, the spine of a lion fish is enclosed in a sheath. If you pull the sheath back it is sharp like a needle.
The lion fish’s venom is similar to that of a wasp and it is delivered though the spine.
Once the spine penetrates the skin, the venom is released into your system. It is very painful.
If someone was stung by a lion fish the effective first aid measure is to put that body part under hot water. Water hot enough that you just can stand it.
And that heat neutralizes the venom by braking down the protein. Regardless, it is still advisable to go to a hospital and have the wound check by a doctor.
There hasn’t been any fatalities from lion fish in the US, however, young children, older people and people with immune deficiencies are particular vulnerable.
The meat of the lion fish taste very well and is highly regarded in culinary culinary cuisine.
There is a lot of rodeos in the US now that are trying to attract fisherman in large numbers to trap and kill lion fish for rewards.
The Bahama’s National Trust has produced a cook book how to prepare and cook the meat from lion fish.
So, there are a lot of governments, agencies and a lot of people trying all they can to eradicate this fish.