Invaders
Jun 18, 2012 18:46:13 #
Jun 18, 2012 22:25:12 #
Jun 19, 2012 12:54:42 #
erobin
Loc: Port Charlotte, FL
When diving in Curacao, divers gave us several Lionfish to clean and eat. After an hour or so, they loose their poison but caution is still used when cleaning them. A resident from Curaco showed us how to clean the fish. We grilled them and they are DELICIOUS. Divers use a long/large "golf ball" retriever and put them in a protected cylinder (protects the diver). It was interesting to watch them "catch" the fish.
Jul 1, 2012 14:17:18 #
In Bonaire they had lionfish fritters and filets. I didn't care much for the fritters but then I don't like fish that much. The problem with them being in the Atlantic is they are eating the coral and that's hurting the ecosystem is what the locals told me while there. I had the same question about them. They are popular at the restaurants.
Jul 1, 2012 14:43:58 #
erobin
Loc: Port Charlotte, FL
I have friends in Bonaire right now. Will facebook them to check the menues.
Jul 1, 2012 16:13:33 #
Tell your friends I'm jealous and to have a great time snorkeling or diving. I have a 3 week old grandson and it's a toss up about going too, but I think grandson will win. :D
Jul 13, 2012 11:31:38 #
The Lion fish are traveling up the eastern seaboard now as well. I just got back from Little Cayman island where the grouper are like puppy dogs. They swim with you and if you stop to look at something, next thing you know they are right next to you looking as well. One thing I did not know until this trip is that they like to eat lion fish. Point one out for a grouper and it will be dinner for them. Amazing to watch
Jul 13, 2012 14:54:37 #
akfishguide wrote:
The Lion fish are traveling up the eastern seaboard now as well. I just got back from Little Cayman island where the grouper are like puppy dogs. They swim with you and if you stop to look at something, next thing you know they are right next to you looking as well. One thing I did not know until this trip is that they like to eat lion fish. Point one out for a grouper and it will be dinner for them. Amazing to watch
2 of my friends and now you are talking about Little Cayman and I'm really wanting to go there. I love Bonaire but after so many people are talking about it, I think maybe that'll be our next trip.
Jul 14, 2012 15:29:48 #
I have been all arround Caribbean from Bonaire and Curacao to Cozumel, Riveria Maya, Turks, Dominica, Grenada, St Martin, St Thomas, Cayman Brac and Grand Cayman and of course Little Cayman. Given a choice based on accommodations, staff, food and of course Diving, Little Cayman Beach Resort is the best. Now there are drawbacks to Little Cayman (resident population of only 160, and realistically non-existant shore diving) but for wall diving, swim throughs, Coral formations, big and little critters, I can't wait to go back. Been there a couple of times and have never regretted it.
Jul 17, 2012 08:54:59 #
Madman,
Some really nice shots of Volitans, problem it that they are not native and have a kill on sight recommendation since they have few enemies here. This is the problem with aquarium hobbyists getting a fish that has a potential to do harm. They can not be tamed will always present their dorsal fins and if you get stung, be prepared for at least a period of pain. You can use, vinegar to lessen it but still will be painful. They should have been left in the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean.
George
Some really nice shots of Volitans, problem it that they are not native and have a kill on sight recommendation since they have few enemies here. This is the problem with aquarium hobbyists getting a fish that has a potential to do harm. They can not be tamed will always present their dorsal fins and if you get stung, be prepared for at least a period of pain. You can use, vinegar to lessen it but still will be painful. They should have been left in the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean.
George
Nov 12, 2012 09:56:34 #
The explosion of Lionfish in the Caribbean is a real threat because they have no predators. They are killing off many of the reef fish that provide food for the larger fish we all like to see and photograph. We started collecting them a few years ago with contests and encouraged restaurants to serve them. But they are so prolific that this did not solve the problem. My last trip to Dominica, the local dive shop would cook them underwater on lava bubbles and we would eat them underwater for grins.
On the hunt
The capture
The cooking
The underwater diner
Nov 12, 2012 10:09:36 #
Another way of dealing with the Lionfish was trying to teach the Grouper and Snapper to eat them. In St. Croix we speared them and the large fish knew the dinner bell had rung and started following us until we released the dead Lionfish and them they would approach and take them. We hope they will develope an appetite for these invaders and start to eliminate them. We have done the same thing using eels and anemones to eat them.
The capture with slilng spear
Snapper following my dive buddie
Dinner time
Jan 16, 2013 10:54:26 #
Great shots . Photos have rekindled my desire to return to diving .
Jan 21, 2013 18:31:16 #
I dive regularly in the So. Pacific so am familiar with lion fish, but I was amazed at the proliferation of the lion fish in the Caribbean. Everywhere I looked there were huge lion fish and nothing else. Great photos, thanks.
Jan 22, 2013 06:40:26 #
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.