Lionfish Attack the Endangered Social Wrasse

The ongoing effort to stifle Lionfish outbreaks in the Caribbean gets some attention in this latest article by Luiz Rocha, curator of ichthyology at the California Academy of Sciences. Writing from Belize where he studies the Social Wrasse Rocha raises new concerns for a species that is currently one of the world’s most endangered reef fish (Halichoeres socialis.) Photos courtesy of Luiz Rocha. This fish is one of the most exquisite of the Wrasse family and is strictly limited to the waters of Pelican Keys. Living in and around mangrove fields its habitat is currently being inundated by local community wastes and now faces the ballooning numbers of a foreign apex predator. Rocha and his team will be collecting Lionfish from the reefs of Belize and examining their stomach contents to better understand the Lionfish’s role as foreign predator. Their findings are limited at the moment as the study began December 15th, however, Rocha remains optimistic in his efforts stating: “It’s up to us to figure out what they are doing to their new home because maybe then we can devise better ways to mitigate their impact on the reef and the social wrasse.” The endeavor to conduct such a study does come with consequences. Check out some of the challenges his team faces when dealing with the poisonous Lionfish after the break! Read more here! Ouch that stings!