CKIM Group Inc., who manage http://bvisail.com , is doing a series on the current Lionfish Invasion in the Caribbean waters. In part 1 of our discussion we talked about where Lionfish come from and why they are bad for the sea life in the Caribbean waters. Click here to view Part 1 of this discussion
In Part 2, we will discuss what Lionfish eat and how much they eat
What they eat:
Lionfish will eat just about any crustacean or fish it can catch. Normally sluggish fish, they expend a lot of energy when hunting. They tend to corner prey using their large fins and then use a lightning fast gulp to swallow the prey whole. It is believed that they usually approach their prey slowly from below, their splayed fins shielding the movement of their caudal fin so that their prey will not be alarmed. Their bizarre striped coloration may be a very useful pattern to disguise it in a reef environment, which also assists in the hunt.
How much they eat:
It is not unusual to observe lionfish consuming prey up to 2/3 of their own length.
Researchers in the field observed a large adult lionfish consume over 20 small wrasses (0.4-1.2″) during a 30 minute period.
Lionfish stomachs can expand over 30 times in volume when consuming large prey.
It is recorded that a 1.2″ lionfish cornered and consumed a 0.8″ cottonwick grunt in captivity.
Stay posted for Part 3 of our Series “Invasion of the Caribbean waters-Lionfish” where we talk about thier reproduction rate and the best ways to EAT lionfish!
