lionfish aroun New York?

[tankjunky]

I read an article that people are pulling lionfish, damsells, angle fish, and other types of fish out of the ocean around Long Island, NY. Is this true? If it is would you be able to take cold water fish and put them into warm water without them dieing. Please tell any ideas about it or facts. Thanks

 

[acrodave]

I would say it would be to cold for them but during the summer who knows. There are lion fish in FL. And they do not belong there. And are doing good. not that i want them to do well.

 

[xtm]

I've read some accounts from people pulling juvenile lionfish from FL so that's far from impossible. This also means that they are successfully breeding in the area..

As for putting a cold water fish in a warmer temp? Probably possible. It can take long acclimation time and I would say it depends on the species of fish.

 

[LobsterOfJustice]

As far as I know, lionfish can only sustain breeding populations about as far north as North Carolina's outer banks. The gulf stream carries the young of many tropical species (native, and introduced) up to NY and farther, but they die in the winter.

 

[matt11390]

Lionfish are successfully living year round here off the coast of Virginia. I just recently read an article in my local paper about it. It amazes me how fish can adapt over time to places where they have no business being. It would not surprise me if they are in the NY area.

 

[tankjunky]

I just did a web seach and here is an article about it

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/08/nyregion/08fish.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

 

[myerst2]

Absolutely I have sen the fish myself. I live in Sag Harbor which is on the east end of long island and a bit to the west is Shinecock bay where you will find triggers, butterflys, lions, lookdowns, angels, etc. The aquarium on long island located in Riverhead has a display dedicated to these transients. This aquarium has the biggest and most impressive captive reef display in north america. A frequent person on these boards in screen name the fish finder dives and collects these fish all the time at the end of the summer. Hopefully he'll see the thread and post his experiences. Regards, Tim

 

[Denbf58]

yes it true lion fish in NY

 

[ggk1988]

I think I remeber reading something about that in the latest SeaScope. ( Newsletter from Instant Ocean)

 

[Arati]

IMO pretty much all fish come and go from the LI / Shinecock are waters with the gulf stream. Lion fish "live" here as much as weekfish and fluke, you wont find either of them in the winter either.