Simon says: "Let's meet the Common Lionfish ( Pterois miles)

 


The Common Lionfish (Pterois miles)

With its distinctive, feathery fins & zebra stripes, the lionfish is one Mediterranean’s most grave ecological threats.
Native to the Indo-Pacific, the lionfish found its way into the Mediterranean via the Suez Canal. Without natural predators in these waters, its population has exploded.
They use their wide, fan-like fins to corner small fish & crustaceans; a lionfish’s stomach can expand up to 30 times its normal size, & a single lionfish can reduce a reef’s native fish population by up to 80% in just a few weeks!
They have 18 venomous spines across their back, belly & tail, packed with a potent neurotoxin, which causes excruciating pain.
If you are ever stung, soak the wound in hot (not scalding) water to break down the venom proteins until medical help arrives.
While rarely fatal to healthy humans, a sting is incredibly painful, causing swelling, nausea & severe discomfort. If you see one, admire from a distance – never touch!
In Israel, local divers, marine biologists & spearfishermen are actively culling lionfish to protect our native reefs. Some restaurants in Eilat and Tel Aviv even serve them as a sustainable delicacy (the venom is neutralised by cooking!)

Next time you snorkel or dive in the Red Sea or the Mediterranean, keep your eyes peeled.

Have you ever seen a lionfish while diving? What was your experience? Let me know in the comments below! 👇

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