Lionfish have become the poster child for invasive species issues in the western north Atlantic region. Their notoriety as invaders is on par with zebra mussels, snakeheads, and even Asian carp. Their populations continue to expand, threatening the well-being of coral reefs and other marine ecosystems.

Feb 21, 2025 · Invasive lionfish threaten native fish and the environment in U.S. Atlantic coastal waters. Invasive species are capable of causing extinctions of native plants and animals, reducing biodiversity, competing with native organisms for limited resources, and altering habitats.

Lionfish (Pterois volitans, Pterois miles), venomous fishes native to the Indo-Pacific and Red Sea, are the first invasive species of fish to establish themselves in the Western Atlantic (Schofield 2009).

Since arriving to the northern Atlantic Ocean less than 30 years ago, lionfish have quickly become one of the most widespread and voracious invasive species, negatively impacting marine ecosystems—particularly coral reefs—from the northeast coast of the United States to the Caribbean Islands.

May 24, 2022 · Invasive lionfish have spread through the western Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico over the last few decades. More recently, lionfish have also invaded the Mediterranean Sea via the Suez Canal, leading to concerns about their …

Lionfish are considered invasive because they are not native to the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea. They are native to the Indo-Pacific region, but were introduced to the Atlantic Ocean through the aquarium trade.

Jan 2, 2025 · The lionfish invasion is one of the most pressing ecological challenges affecting marine biodiversity in the Western Atlantic Ocean and the Mexican Caribbean. This invasive species, native to the Indo-Pacific, has had devastating impacts on marine ecosystems, reducing native fish populations by up to 60% in some areas.

Jun 16, 2024 · The lionfish is a carnivorous fish native to the Indo-Pacific that is now an invasive species in the Atlantic. The lionfish, a longstanding showstopper in home aquariums, is a flourishing invasive species in U.S. Southeast and Caribbean coastal waters.

May 21, 2015 · Four national marine sanctuaries have been invaded by lionfish – Gray’s Reef, Florida Keys, Flower Garden Banks, and Monitor.

Invasive lionfish feeding on a coral reef. Confirmed sightings of invasive lionfish throughout the Atlantic, Gulf, and Caribbean. Map courtesy of United States