Red Lionfish Is Here

RED LIONFISH-Pterois volitans (Linnaeus)

Common names: Lionfish, lion fish, zebrafish, firefish, turkeyfish, red lionfish, butterfly cod, ornate butterfly-cod, peacock lionfish, red firefish, scorpion volitans

Since 2002 the Red Lionfish have been invading Bahamian waters. To date the amount and extent of the existence of this species is still not exactly known. Department of Fisheries has now allowed the capture and elimination of this species.

The Red lionfish is indigenous to the waters of the Pacific. It is still not quite known how this species came to be in our waters. Avid photographers enjoy capturing these creatures in shots as well as video. It is understandable as they are beautiful to look at. Some locals have taken to capturing them for home fish tanks and the like. I, on the other hand find them quite tasty. My wife and I joined a how to prepare lionfish seminar held over here at the Bahamas National Trust and found them to be delicious. The meat is a white filet and cooks like grouper. Look for later articles and videos on how to prepare this delicacy.

So have locals taken it to far to add them to the dinner menu. I my opinion, its not far enough. The lionfish enjoys no threat of natural prey in our waters and are attacking the juveniles of many of our local treasures. Numbers of groupers, parrot fish, and many more have been on a vast decline for the greater part of this decade. The lionfish are attacking unabated leaving us with no choice but to take action. Smudder lionfish, deep fried lionfish, and lionfish ceviche, are among some of the best ideas I have so far. Eat up!