Yummy Reef Fish

[michael_cb_125]

Good afternoon everyone.

I thought I would share an amazing experience with Yall'.


I am currently a our beach house (kure beach, nc) and just finished cooking some of the best fish I have ever eaten (and I eat a lot of fish).


Earlier today I walked into the local fish market and saw a giant cooler full of large (12-20") fish. They were partially covered with ice and I thought they were scamps. I dug one out and ill be darned if it wasn't the biggest violitans lion I have ever seen. They had literally dozens of these fish for sale. Turns out that the breeding population of lionfish in north Carolina is much larger than I had realized. I asked the owner of the shop and she said the specifically Target these fish along with groupers and hogs.


Well needless to say I bought some and went home to clean them.

We just finished eating and I can say that I am going to be stocking up on these fish to take home. They are FREAKING DELICIOUS


Pics to come, some may be graphic, so lion lovers beware.


~Michael

 

[RealReef7]

Lionfish are yummy! they taste very similar to a grouper imo.

 

[michael_cb_125]

Very similar to grouper.
I really could not believe how big these fish were. I mean, they were big enough to fillet and then butterflied and cut into chunks.

~Michael

 

[Curious George]

Question: Any danger of an allergic reaction to their toxin?--or being pricked when filleting?

 

[michael_cb_125]

There is no risk from eating the flesh, but you have to be very careful when cleaning.

 

[cdipasquale]

intersted. might have to shoot a couple next time i'm diving. They are showing up everywhere in florida too.

 

[RealReef7]

i've also had naso tang, yellow eyed tang, varieties of parrot fish, and also squirrel fish. A friend of mine spear fished the naso and yellow eyed and then prep'd it into a very yummy dish while in hawaii.

 

[Recty]

I think, were I to clean a lionfish, I would take some type of scissor tool and snip all the fins off. Isnt the toxin in the end of the spine only? Or is there a sac at the flesh of the fish that squirts the toxin all the way down the length of the spine?

Does cold neutralize the venom I wonder?

 

[michael_cb_125]

From everything I have read, warm water nuetralizes the toxin.

 

[michael_cb_125]

These fish remind me of grouper, maybe better tasting. The best part, they are much cheaper. Most people don't know what they are or how to clean them, so they sell for $3/lb.


Guess what I did today?

Went to blackburns and bought em out, I now have a cooler FULL of yummy lions. I figured since today is ma B-Day I should treat myself.


They also had an assortment of trigger fish, including two huge queen triggers.


I will post pics this evening when I get home.


~Michael

 

[snorvich]

Lionfish are yummy! they taste very similar to a grouper imo.

yes, indeed. Readily available, easily caught and TASTY!

 

[NinjaBum]

Plus you know you are helping preserve the natural habitat of the Atlantic coast by encouraging people who sell them to target them. Pretty sure Lions dominate Atlantic habitats because they haven't evolved to cope with them.

 

[Reefing Newbie]

Wow! Never realized you could eat lionfish, I may have to try some when and if I ever go to the east coast. The big thing in Minnesota is walleye which is pretty good!

 

[snorvich]

Wow! Never realized you could eat lionfish, I may have to try some when and if I ever go to the east coast. The big thing in Minnesota is walleye which is pretty good!

Fried with lemon, butter, garlic, salt works well for both.

 

[MarkieJ]

They're probably similar to the Sculpin we catch here in California. Very tasty! Do they come with the fins already removed? Eagerly awaiting pics...

 

[michael_cb_125]

Yay Pictures!

~Michael

 

[michael_cb_125]

Here is a picture of the two queen triggers that they had for sale. The larger of the two was right at 18 pounds! That was the largest queen that I have ever seen.

~Michael

 

[Reefing Newbie]

Fried with lemon, butter, garlic, salt works well for both.

Sounds really good!!! Now I am awaiting the day that I venture to the east coast! I am not big on the whole filleting the fish thought never have done it even on walleye. those don't have venomous spines so I don't think a lion fish will be my first attempt lol.

 

[M88A2]

Awsome, a new food I have yet to try apparently it's available near me. How difficult would you think they are to clean for a nub like me? My experience is only limited to less spiny things like bass, tilapia, and salmon. I'd love to give those a shot.

 

[michael_cb_125]

IMO they were no more difficult to clean than say a small black bass. The spines fold up against the body. I guess if you are not comfortable with spiny fish you could always break the spines off. I did not do that as I was worried that I would rupture something and get toxins in the meat.

~Michael