Lionfish
by Christopher James
Title
Lionfish
Artist
Christopher James
Medium
Photograph - Photography
Description
The lionfish, a longstanding showstopper in home aquariums, is a flourishing invasive species in U.S. Southeast and Caribbean coastal waters. This invasive species has the potential to harm reef ecosystems because it is a top predator that competes for food and space with overfished native stocks such as snapper and grouper. Scientists fear that lionfish will also kill off helpful species such as algae-eating parrotfish, allowing seaweed to overtake the reefs. In the U.S., the lionfish population is continuing to grow and increase its range. This is largely because lionfish have no known predators and reproduce all year long; a mature female releases roughly two million eggs a year.
Lionfish have been reported along the southeastern United States coast from Florida to North Carolina. Juvenile lionfish have been collected in waters off Long Island, New York, and Bermuda. Lionfish are a popular marine ornamental fish and were possibly intentionally released into the Atlantic. The first lionfish was reported in South Florida waters in 1985 with many additional sightings occurring until they were documented as established in the early 2000s. Photographed at the Atlanta Georgia Aquarium which is the largest aquarium in the United States.
Uploaded
April 13th, 2019
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Comments (137)
Rick Hansen
Spectacular!! L/F Pinterest @ https://www.pinterest.com/r3hansen/favorites-from-fine-art-america/
Christopher James
One of your peers nominated this image in the 1000 views Groups Special Features Nominations For Promotion #22 . Please help your fellow artists by visiting and passing on the love to another artist in the the 1000 Views Group....L/F/Tw
Luther Fine Art
Congratulations! Your terrific art has been featured on the ABC Group home page from the I is For Individual week, April 11, 2022 - APRIL 18, 2022 where our images portray an individual person or animal.. You are invited to add your wonderful art in the Features Archive Discussion in the ABC GROUP as a way to preserve your feature!
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