Lionfish (venomous, invasive Caribbean)

The lionfish is a predatory fish with long, venomous spines. It uses these spines to defend itself from larger predators. While they are native to the Indo-Pacific, they have become a massive problem in the Caribbean since their arrival in the 1980s. They eat local reef fish at rates that exceed 65% in some areas because they have no natural enemies there.

Do not touch them. Many divers try to get close for photos and accidentally brush against the dorsal spines. This causes intense pain because the venom acts quickly on human tissue. If you get stung, seek medical help immediately. Always maintain a distance of at least 1 m during your dive.