Meeting Abstract

P3.36  Sunday, Jan. 6  Diet of Red Lionfish (Scorpaenidae) from Biscayne Bay, Florida, based on gut content analysis HAROLD, AS*; ZURLO, D; TOLINE, CA; DOTY, S; MCDONOUGH, V; College of Charleston, Charleston, South Carolina; College of Charleston, Charleston, South Carolina; National Park Service, Charleston, South Carolina; College of Charleston, Charleston, South Carolina; Biscayne National Park, Homestead, Florida harolda@cofc.edu

Introduced Red Lionfish (Pterois volitans) have become established throughout much of the warmer inshore waters of the western Atlantic. Several studies have looked at the impacts of this voracious species on communities of reef fishes and those of other shelf habitats. The present study was undertaken by the National Park Service in order to ascertain the possible effects of Red Lionfish on the fish assemblage in Biscayne Bay, Florida. One of the questions is directed towards determining possible impacts on the top predators and other large bodied, economically important fish species. Complete stomach content samples were obtained from a total of 567 lionfish, ranging in total length from 32 to 310 mm. A total of 916 prey items were identified, including 406 fishes (in twelve families), 509 crustaceans, and one gastropod. All prey items were identified to the lowest taxonomic level possible, although for present purposes we focus on the family level. Of the fishes identifiable to at least family gobies (Gobiidae) and triplefins (Tripterygiidae) were the most common prey, together accounting for about 48.6% of that component. Other common prey fishes, in decreasing order of occurrence, were blennies (Blenniidae), grunts (Haemulidae), and damselfishes (Pomacentridae). These preliminary observations indicate that lionfish in the Biscayne Bay area feed mainly on benthic fishes and crustaceans, but are also opportunistic. The relationship between body size of lionfish and the type of prey consumed is also discussed.