NEW 2010 - Lionfish SMASH!? or put some Volatins in your Vodka?

[Danimal8199]

I caught one with a little kids fishing net a few years ago in south beach. It was floating under some sea weed and they were gonna grab it, it was a baby...so yes i have seen one

[kent]

I've done quite a bit of spearing in the Bahamas and had never really seen one until this year. Actually, unless you are really looking, you probably wouldn't see them because they are actually kind of hard to spot at first. My last trip over I saw at least 10-15 of them in around 50 feet of water. They were hanging around a great grouper spot and weren't really afraid of anything.

On a guess I'd bet that at least 300 of them will meet their end at the Bimini event. I understand that they will even have someone there showing how to prepare the tasty little critters for dinner.

I'm definitely going to this event just before the Nationals in Corpus Christi, TX. The nice thing is that I'll probably even get some kiting in as well. Should be fun.

[ricki]

Originally Posted by Danimal8199

I caught one with a little kids fishing net a few years ago in south beach. It was floating under some sea weed and they were gonna grab it, it was a baby...so yes i have seen one

So it was a juvenile (about how long?) floating along beneath a mat of sargassum? With that as a means of distribution of the species, no wonder it has been found from Honduras, throughout the Bahamas, Turk & Caicos, Bermuda and up to Long Island, NY. Not good but pays to know. Didn't see any notes about that in the life cycle comments I found.

Originally Posted by kent

I've done quite a bit of spearing in the Bahamas and had never really seen one until this year. Actually, unless you are really looking, you probably wouldn't see them because they are actually kind of hard to spot at first. My last trip over I saw at least 10-15 of them in around 50 feet of water. They were hanging around a great grouper spot and weren't really afraid of anything.

On a guess I'd bet that at least 300 of them will meet their end at the Bimini event. I understand that they will even have someone there showing how to prepare the tasty little critters for dinner.

I'm definitely going to this event just before the Nationals in Corpus Christi, TX. The nice thing is that I'll probably even get some kiting in as well. Should be fun.

As a rule, they stay close to the bottom/rocks in the daytime preferring crevices and overhangs. Even if they're in the open, unless you focus on them in the distance they can be easy to miss. Up close they really stand out though. The ones I have seen in Bimini and in the Berry's were in about 10 ft. of water. Off Andros around Fresh Creek, around 50 ft. although I heard about a sighting of over a dozen in 10 or so feet of water around a derrick near the harbor. If there is cover, they may occur at shallower depths. Also, if you're looking for fish yourself, it is less likely in many areas you will be that shallow anyway. I understand they range out to about 250 ft. of water and can be common below 80 ft. in NE Florida. Haven't seen any on a reef in SE Florida yet, understand some have seen them here though.

I think your guess of a few hundred is in the ballpark. If guys tune into to where they are most likely found, they might even go past that point. Maybe tow around likely spots to scout prospects in advance. It is good the organizers are going to give tips on how to approach and deal with lionfish to avoid getting stung, nasty venom there.

More about the little buggers at:

http://coastalscience.noaa.gov/docum...ionfish_ia.pdf
http://fksa.org/showthread.php?p=39347#post39347
http://keysnews.com/node/11058

Some limited medical considerations:
http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/770764-overview
http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/770764-treatment

[Danimal8199]

It was only 3 or so inches a really little guy. I'm not sure what the potency of their venom is when they are that small, but if they are like snakes then it can still be very painful. Kids don't know any better either and they were trying to play with it. At that size I remember that the spines/frills were not very pronounced but none the less it really stood out and was 100% a lion fish.

[ricki]

Originally Posted by Danimal8199

It was only 3 or so inches a really little guy. I'm not sure what the potency of their venom is when they are that small, but if they are like snakes then it can still be very painful. Kids don't know any better either and they were trying to play with it. At that size I remember that the spines/frills were not very pronounced but none the less it really stood out and was 100% a lion fish.

Interesting story, thanks for posting it. Yours is the first story I've heard about them hanging out in sargassum mats. Fry of numerous species are distributed all over in that fashion. Do they even have sargassum mats or equivalent in the Indo Pacific? Or has our boy Volatins adopted not only a new ocean but means of distribution in their invasion?

Anyone going to Bimini? Thinking about it myself.



This one was cruising along in about 15 ft. of water off Great Stirrup in the Berrys last year

[kent]

I'm heading over if the sea conditions allow. Boy, if that little bugger is swimming that close to me on May 2nd, he'll be dancing on the end of my spear!

They actually have a chef coming over to teach us how to cook these guys. I guess that they taste pretty good. It's different from Blow fish for example in that the poison is only in the barbs and not actually in the fish.

May is a great time for the Bahamas, I can't wait.

[ricki]

Originally Posted by kent

I'm heading over if the sea conditions allow. Boy, if that little bugger is swimming that close to me on May 2nd, he'll be dancing on the end of my spear!

They actually have a chef coming over to teach us how to cook these guys. I guess that they taste pretty good. It's different from Blow fish for example in that the poison is only in the barbs and not actually in the fish.

May is a great time for the Bahamas, I can't wait.

Sounds like a plan and hope the wx cooperates for your crossings. Yes, preparing blowfish can be a dodgy proposition. Slice a bit too deep or in the wrong area and instant toxin tainted fillets. As I recall, the symptoms victims exhibit helped a roving researcher doped out some of the active ingredients in "zombie powder" in Haiti. Not only did the cookers use blowfish venom but also strong alkaloids from toads. Hey, no toad licking here!

May have posted this before, it is pretty amusing and I usually avoid cooking shows like the plague. Still, it shows one means of culinary conquest of the Volatins.



Somebody wrote lionfish taste like grouper?! Could be a whole new market. Hey Kent, they got zombie powder at Bimini Bay for guests? Bomba Shack has full moon mushroom tea, could start a fad.