Lionfish (Pterois sp) – United Caribbean, Deerfield Beach, Fl
Lionfish are a dangerous invasive species, taking over the reefs and wrecks of South Florida. As beautiful as they are, they hide an ugly truth. Firstly, the obvious fact that they are venomous, displaying their dangerous potential through bright red and white stripes as a warning sign to predators. Secondly, they are veracious predators themselves – wiping out many key players on the reef’s food chain. Unbalancing the natural order of the ocean’s hierarchy, and with no natural predators in Caribbean waters, Lionfish have quickly become the ocean’s ‘Most Wanted’. Culls are encouraged as many people make trips out of Lionfish hunts, dispatching the animals in attempts to restore order to the ecosystem.
Canon G15, Nauticam NAG15, Inon s2000 (x2), Sola Photo 800
1/2000 sec, f/2.8, ISO200