Lionfish shot and fed to a Spotted Eel

Lionfish shot and fed to a Spotted Eel by Chris Doherty while diving on the Narcosis on a PBCRRT dive. Video by Tim Fernan.

Watch as the Spotted Eel devours the Lionfish and tears it from the pole spear prongs. Than disappears back under the sponge to enjoy its feast.

This may be the first documented video of this occurring. Lionfish have few known predators.

Earlier in the day I shot another Lionfish that was swimming free. The fish was so small that when the pole spear hit it, it was pushed backwards and out of the way of the spear. At first I could not imagine that I had missed it, than realized the fish did not give enough resistance for the spear to penetrate. 4' spear, 3" fish about 1' across with its spines.

It is not recommended that you touch or disturb a Lionfish, they can be deadly!!!

Lion Fish - Flower Garden 07-24-2010

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• reef

[Burnyur]

They havent "taken over" any reefs in FL and should'nt be shot without question. Just cause you pulled an illegal stunt on camera does'nt mean you should post it.

[pbcdiver]

@Burnyur

The Lionfish are invasive and have been going back to hurricane Andrew, when many people had to dump their tanks while without power. Lionfish eat all the small fish on the reef or wrecks. Many dive groups have a shoot on site order. Lionfish harvesting is even approved on otherwise no-take protected reef in the FL Keys.

In the future, please do your research prior to accusing me of an illegal act!

[lhp70]

@bubbakowski1 It's in the Gulf of Mexico. So yes, they are invasive and must be shot without question.

[lazarolechon1]

@Burnyur yes they should. they are probly as bad as if not worse than the burmese python

[ryansimpsoncanada]

@Burnyur Lionfish desperately need to be culled out in these waters, they have no predator here yet therefore it's a good thing, especially if you are teaching other fish to consume them :)

[snakeboy553]

@Burnyur Dude? Lionfish are taking over florida reefs the most of any other as a invasive species! not saying there not pretty and some people just leave them but in my opinion people should kill them more even at my school there are competitions where people kill them for prizes.... so they are pretty bad in florida.

[123yoyo123456789]

@bubbakowski1 Lion fish is native to the pacific and for unknown reason it has spread to different areas. In the places where the lion fish shouldn't it has no natural predator and its prays don't recognize it as a threat.