The red lion fish also know by its scientific name Pterois volitans is an IAS or invasive Alien Species meaning it is not native to our region. It is native to the Indo-Pacific region of the ocean. It arrived in Trinidad and Tobago in late 2010, and has reportedly spread to 14 countries in the Caribbean with sightings in Tobago, the Turks and Caicos Islands to St. Croix and in both Central and South America, Belize Curacao and in Venezuela. It's rapid spread in the Caribbean is due to lack of natural predators in its new habitat , which means the numbers are left to grow out of control and the native species is endangered because they don't share an evolutionary history that would have allowed them to have defensive mechanisms.
It is a gluttonous predator because adult lion fish are primarily fish-eaters and since they predators outside of their home range researchers state that a single lion fish residing on a coral reef can reduce the native reef fishes by 79 percent. Because lion fish feed on prey normally consumed by snappers, groupers, and other commercially important native species, their presence could negatively affect the well-being of valuable commercial and recreational fisheries.
The population of the lion fish spreads rapidly it has a life span of 16 years and reach maturity very quickly at lengths of 10cm for males and 18cm for females. Reproduction is sexual and results in 15,000 mucus encapsulated eggs. The females can breed every 4 days, with the larvae emerging after 36 hours and 2-3 days for them to become capable swimmers.
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