Abstract

The first observation of red lionfish (Pterois volitans/miles) in the waters around South Caicos, Turks & Caicos Islands was made in December 2007. From this time until the end of July 2008, lionfish sightings were recorded by staff and students from The School for Field Studies Center for Marine Resource Studies in South Caicos. Twenty-five individuals were observed. Although effort was made to capture all specimens seen (with 23 individuals captured), sightings represent opportunistic observations made during other activities. All except two were recorded in waters shallower than 2.5m, and specimens have been found in patch reef (n = 15), seagrass (n = 6), mangrove (n = 2), and deep reef (25m; n = 1). Although individuals captured ranged in size from 4.1 to 27.7cm TL, all but two individuals were < 15 cm TL. This study documents the invasion of South Caicos by red lionfish, and although the effects of this invasion are unknown, the exponential increase of sightings per month is worrying. Future monitoring will include targeted searches for red lionfish.

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