Trained Sharks Eating Invasive Lionfish

This unbelievable picture was snapped in Honduras where local dive masters are training sharks to get a taste for invasive lionfish that are causing havoc in local waters. If this were not from National Geographic, I would cry 'foul.' Amazing.


Photo Credit: National Geographic

"If these predators start to see lionfish as prey, eventually, in time the lionfish may be kept under control as a part of the ecosystem. That was the idea."

Full article and great pics here:
Pictures: Sharks Taught to Hunt Alien Lionfish

 

wow this is actually very interesting!

So I know that lionfish are poisonous but I am not sure how their toxin works. How doesnt it hurt the sharks? Anyone wanna chime in

 

Lions aren't poisonous, they're venomous. A lot of fish eat lions.

 

that is so AWESOME!!!! haha that pic looks surreal, I do want to taste some lion fish lol maybe I can go spear fishing when I finally get to go diving

 

Well, lionfish don't have a lot of natural predators, hence the reason for their bloom. But, fish like groupers, triggers, and sharks can eat lionfishes. They're venomous, but I'm sure if you're hungry enough, you eat what you can find that doesn't kill you. Reports of seeing the lionfish being eaten in the wild are pretty uncommon, but it happens.

 

Ooh, check out this post from 3reef about the Grouper that ate a Lionfish:
http://www.3reef.com/forums/environmental/grouper-vs-lionfish-battle-caribbean-88542.html

 

When I say lions, I mean ALL lions. Volitans (the invasive species) don't have many natural predators. But the smaller lions are good eatin' size and are indeed eaten by a variety of larger fish. I was just pointing out many fish eat lions and survive, it's not shark specific.

 

South Florida should take heed they are invading the east coast waters as well.



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South Florida has a whole different predator in mind for the lionfish invasion... YOU! Boil em, bake em, stick em in a stew...

A Cookbook Is The Latest Weapon In Fight Against Lionfish Invasion : Shots - Health Blog : NPR

Actually a pretty inventive idea, I just wonder how they REALLY taste...

And that picture of the shark is FANTASTIC! I'm guessing that's why the Nat Geo photographers work for Nat Geo.

 

This for some reason reminded me of this. A lil IT techie humor:
YouTube - QUALCOMM - Convergence
Shark falcons eating wolf pigeons.