LION FISH
Pterois volitans
Photo by Michael Gäbler (Wikipedia Commons[1])
Species Description:[2]
Native to South Pacific and Indian Ocean, the Lionfish is one of Florida’s more well-known aquatic invasive species. Lionfish are recognizable by their red or brown and white-striped appearance and by the dorsal spines and pectoral fan. These fish can grow up to 18 inches long and are seen near hard and soft bottomed environments including seagrass beds, coral and artificial reefs up to 300 feet deep.
Details on Non-Native Species:[3]
Lion fish are native to the South Pacific and Indian Ocean but have become established along the Gulf Coast and up the Atlantic Coast. Lionfish were first reported in Southern Florida off the Atlantic Coast in 1985, however there is no agreement on how they were originally introduced. Since 1985 they have since become established throughout the entire Gulf Coast up to the Panhandle. They are considered a threat to native marine species and are known to consume over 50 species of fish.
What You Can Do:
When you are diving, snorkeling or in the water keep an eye out for Lionfish. During the day these fish may be found hiding along rock crevices or along ledges and hidden amongst artificial reef structures. If a Lionfish is seen, please log information such as location coordinates, depth, date, and any pictures (if possible) and send them to Marine Resources Coordinator, Kristin Erickson at
[email protected] While harvesting is legal and desired, special precautions should be taken and proper equipment used as their spines can deliver a venomous sting that can cause extreme pain and more severe reactions in certain individuals.
[1] Photo by Michael Gäbler (Wikipedia Commons)
[2]https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/lionfish-facts.html
[3] https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/nonnatives/marine-fish/scorpionfish-and-lionfish/lionfish/
Tessellated Blenny
Hypsoblennius invemar
Photo by Jackie Reid: NOAA Photo Library [1]
Species Description:
The Tessellated Blenny is a small fish up to 2.5 inches long with a colorful orange and black spot pattern that covers a blue tinted head, fins, and body. These fish are native to South and Central America and were first reported in Florida in 1992. There is uncertainty about their initial introduction but they are predominantly found within the Mediterranean Barnacle (Megabalanus antillensis) on oil rig and pier pilings at depths usually less than 15 feet.
Details on Non-Native Species:[2]
Documented in Florida since 1992, Tessellated Blenny’s may have existed previously but been overlooked in surveys. The Tessellated Blenny is thought to have been introduced to the northern Gulf of Mexico but there is limited research on this species. With limited research of this species in Florida, the impact of this species to the native ecosystem in Southwest Florida is unknown.
What You Can Do:
Should you see this species off of Manatee County please record coordinates, depth, and description of habitat and share this information and any photos of the individual with Marine Resources Coordinator, Kristin Erickson at
[email protected]
[1] Jackie Reid: NOAA Photo Library
[2]https://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/FactSheet.aspx?SpeciesID=2638
Regal Damselfish
Neopomacentrus cyanomos
Photo by federal government public domain [1]
Species Description:
The Regal Damselfish is native to the Indian and West Pacific Ocean: Red Sea and East Africa to the Philippines, north to southern Japan, south to northern Australia and Melanesia (except Fiji) [2]. The Regal Damselfish is identified by a dark ear spot below the first dorsal spine and white/ yellow coloration on the bottom of the soft dorsal and center of the caudal fin [3]. Average size of these fish is 2 inches long. The adults show schooling behavior and are observed on inshore/offshore reefs, protected outer reef slopes and current prone habitats from shallow areas to ~80 feet [4].
Details on Non-Native Species:
Regal Damselfish have become established along the Gulf of Mexico, Florida coastal waters off the panhandle and Mexico Beach. Regal Damselfish were first reported in the Gulf of Mexico in 2017, however they were first observed in the Gulf of Mexico near Coatzacoalcos, Mexico in 2013. It is unsure how they were introduced but it is likely they are in competition with native damselfish [5,6].
What You Can Do:
When you are diving, snorkeling or in the water keep an eye out for this Regal Damselfish. If a Regal Damselfish is seen, please log information such as location coordinates, depth, date, and any pictures (if possible) and send them to Marine Resources Coordinator, Kristin Erickson at
[email protected]
[1] Image is credited to the federal government (U.S. Geological Survey, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service or their employees) are in the public domain and may be taken from this site and used without permission, though a photo credit is appreciated.
[2] Allen GR (1991) Damselfishes of the world. Mergus Publishers, Melle, Germany, 271 pp
[3] Bennett et al. (2019), BioInvasions Records 8(1): 154–166, https://doi.org/10.3391/bir.2019.8.1.17
[4] Kuiter, R.H. and T. Tonozuka, 2001. Pictorial guide to Indonesian reef fishes. Part 2. Fusiliers - Dragonets, Caesionidae - Callionymidae. Zoonetics, Australia. 304-622 p.
[5] https://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/FactSheet.aspx?SpeciesID=2936
[6] Unusual record of the Indo-Pacific pomacentrid Neopomacentrus cyanomos (Bleeker, 1856) on coral reefs of the Gulf of Mexico http://dx.doi.org/10.3391/bir.2014.3.1.09
Orange Cup Coral
Tubastraea coccinea
Photo by Luciano Zanellato (Wiki Commons [1])
Species Description:
The Orange Cup Coral is native to most of the tropical Indo-Pacific [2]. The tentacles are typically bright orange to yellow and the tube structure is usually deep red to orange. This species inhabits dock pilings, buoys and the undersides of large rocks, to a depth of 130 feet. Specimen in shallow, high-energy water have smaller tighter grouped corallites [3].
Details on Non-Native Species:
Orange Cup Coral has invaded the Gulf of Mexico in the Northwestern Gulf of Mexico, Flower Garden Banks. Orange Cup Coral were first reported in the Gulf of Mexico in 2004. It is unsure how they were introduced but it is likely they are in competition for substrate space with native benthic species [4].
What You Can Do:
When you are diving, snorkeling or in the water keep an eye out for this coral. If Orange Cup Coral is seen, please log information such as location coordinates, depth, date, and any pictures (if possible) and send them to Marine Resources Coordinator, Kristin Erickson at
[email protected]
[1] Image is credited to Luciano Zanellato [Wiki Commons]
[2] Cairns S (2000) A revision of the shallow-water azooxanthellate Scleractinia of the Western Atlantic. Stud Nat Hist Carib 75:1–240
[3] Interactive Guide to Caribbean Diving. M. De Kluijver, G. Gijswijt, R. de Leon & I. da Cunda. http://species-identification.org/species.php?species_group=caribbean_diving_guide&id=337
[4] Fenner D (2004) Orange Cup Coral Tubastraea coccinea invades Florida and the Flower Garden Banks, Northwestern Gulf of Mexico. Coral Reefs vol. 23.
Panther Grouper
Chromileptes altivelis
Photo by George Henry Ford (Wiki Commons Public domain[1])
Species Description:
This species is commonly known as Panther Grouper, Barramundi cod, Humpback cod or humpback grouper. Native to parts of the Indian Ocean and South Pacific, this species has been occasionally seen along the coast of Florida since at least 1984. The Panther Grouper can be identified by the unique head and body profile, dark well-defined body spots over a light background and rounded pectoral and caudal fins.[1] The Panther Grouper can be relatively large in size at around 27.5 inches and with specimens caught weighing up to 15 pounds.
Details on Non-Native Species:
While native to the Indo-Pacific region, this species has been documented at locations across Southeast and Southwest Florida from Cocoa Beach to Broward County and in Tampa Bay off the Gulf Coast. The Panther Grouper has become endangered in its native habitat due to reef degradation, commercial harvesting, and aquarium industry.[2] The introduction of the Panther Grouper to Florida is probably due to its use and release in the aquarium industry. There is limited research on the impact of this species in its non-native range but the species is carnivorous and is believed to have a diet of 80% fish and around 20% crustaceans.
What You Can Do:
Should you see this species off of Manatee County please record coordinates, depth, and description of habitat and share this information and any photos of the individual with Marine Resources Coordinator, Kristin Erickson at
[email protected]
[1] Field Guide to the Nonindigenous Marine Fishes of Florida https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/5041/c5171a75465e6cb64797ffdc4df581b0d015.pdf
[2] USGS - Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Fact Sheet https://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/FactSheet.aspx?SpeciesID=966