Abstract

Since its introduction to the western Atlantic and Caribbean, the Indo-Pacific lionfish (Pterois volitans/miles) has undergone a population explosion that threatens the ecosystems it is invading. Determining the diet of invading lionfish among the various habitats where they are found is critical for understanding the ecological effects of the invasion. Our study combined a diet analysis and transplant experiment of lionfish found among the hardbottom habitats of Florida Bay. During June and July 2013 we collected and analyzed the stomach contents of lionfish (n = 32) associated with hardbottom habitat north of Marathon, FL. Prey found in collected stomachs were composed predominantly of teleost fishes (47.9% by number), although we also found a significant number of crustaceans in the diet (38% by number). Of the identifiable teleost prey consumed, gobies were the dominant prey item followed by juvenile grunts. Palaemonid shrimp were the most common crustacean in the diet. For the transplant experiment we captured lionfish (n = 8) and released them at unoccupied solution holes. Prey communities were monitored by divers on SCUBA for six weeks and compared to solution holes where lionfish absent (n = 8). The presence of lionfish resulted in significantly fewer juvenile reef fishes (< 5 cm TL) after just 3 weeks. Our study of lionfish in Florida Bay adds to the mounting evidence on the ecological effects of this novel invasive predator.

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