Abstract

Since its introduction to the western Atlantic and Caribbean the Indo-Pacific lionfish (Pterois volitans) has under-gone a population explosion which 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 experimental transplant experiment of lionfish found on the hardbottom habitats of Florida Bay. During June and July 2013 we collected and analyzed the stomach contents of lionfish (n = 32) associated with limestone solution-holes north of Marathon, FL. Prey found in collected stomachs was composed predominantly of teleost fishes, although we also found a significant number of crustaceans in the diet (38% by number). Of the identifiable teleost prey consumed, Gobiidae was the dominant prey item followed by Haemulon; palaemonid shrimp were the most common crustacean in the diet. For the transplant experiment we captured lionfish (n = 4) and released them at unoc-cupied solution holes. Prey communities were monitored by divers on SCUBA for six weeks and compared to solu-tion holes where lionfish were already present (n = 5) and control holes without lionfish (n = 9). The presence of lion-fish significantly reduced the number of all juvenile fishes (< 5-cm) after just three weeks, while the addition of lion-fish to unoccupied holes reduced the number of palaemonids by 41%. 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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