The Lionfish exhibit offers a close-up view of these beautiful exotic fishes that actually threaten offshore reef fish populations in our state. Lionfish are not native to the Atlantic, but were imported from the Indopacific and are popular in the home aquarium trade. It’s possible that many were accidently released into Florida waters during Hurricane Andrew in 1992, and with that introduction they are now year-round residents along the coast.
The boney fin rays of the lionfish contain a venom which though painful, is rarely lethal in humans. Scuba divers or fishermen who mishandle lionfish may suffer extreme pain, dizziness, swelling, nausea, and numbness.
