I was shocked that lionfish colonies are spreading on the east coast. The few that make it up here in the stream die out when the water temps drop.. Any other tropicals that ride a stream finger into my channel die off fast with the colder water. Off NC in deep water it's warm enough for them.. for now.
These lionfish are supposed to die off at 50F. Nice local cold channel temps are 40F imo. It does get a bit colder but diving gets to be a pia at 38F for most guys.
the issue is natural selection. Will one lionfish outender eventually stay the winter? Even if it's only one fish. Then next year with only one fish makes two. Then the outenders meet. I don't need this crap.
Unlike native reef fish, these red lionfish photographed 50 miles east of North Carolina quickly grow large enough to prey on other fish. Meanwhile, would-be predators find them unappetizing.
D. Kesling/NOAA Undersea Res. Ctr.
