Pensacola Lionfish Being Eaten by Snapper and Triggerfish on Pyramids 10-19-2013

If KZbin link doesn't work, Go here: vimeo.com/77460062
This is an area off of Pensacola, FL with 21 pyramids in close proximity to each other. Unfortunately, the pyramids have slowly sunk into the sand over time and there isn't much left.
The lionfish remained undisturbed when alive and uninjured but when they were injured, the snapper and triggerfish demolished them.

[@AB-nd2nz]

Training local fish to eat them seem like the only logical way to fix the problem

[@yetrotagabundok3756]

Does China know about this yet? :-) If so, then "problem solved." They'll fish and eat them to extinction... anywhere in the world.

[@Justthemow]

@@yetrotagabundok3756 just have to tell them they are a delicacy here in the states

[@Azubjourni]

it already went backwards this way, because sharks and other fish where going and attacking divers when they didnt feed them with lionfish

[@unknownman2434]

@@Azubjourni awwww sad to hear that now better ask Chinese to attack and make a soup both of them shark and lionfish

[@matalvis]

Saw a video a long time ago of a guy hunting lionfish and giving them to giant grouper following him. Basically acted like a giant dog waiting for treats.

[@Tigerpuffer]

Triggerfish are not known to give a fuck.

[@cryinbananas94]

lol

[@thehornwortofhornwort9832]

“Runs out of space” *PROCEEDS* *TO* *YEET* *FISH* *INTO* *OBLIVION*

[@haodo9449]

Trigger and snapper : Delicious gourmet

[@masterschroder1269]

I like how you stopped bagging them and started feeding them to the local wildlife.

[@boringgrass]

246 lionfish disliked this video

[@robertschilling3308]

boringgrass ...haha..thats funny!! 👍👍

[@kenrice2638]

And vegans......

[@Fhbbfffgghyggbb]

524

[@magiclarry7688]

Lol

[@fredsmith-kingofthelunatic7810]

It will be the vegans. The same people who support native animal extinction.

[@jillianmacdonald8057]

their poison spines makes them so complacent lol, I seen turtles dodge better than that

[@CreativeCreatorCreates]

Jillian Macdonald they are venomous. They have no natural predators here in the Atlantic. They are deadly to the reef and the system. They are also super yummy, I’ve heard. (But it’s why they don’t run or freak out lol)

[@Shoyro]

Easy profit...

[@rgruenhaus]

@@CreativeCreatorCreates taste like chicken of the Seas? LOL

[@CreativeCreatorCreates]

@@rgruenhaus LOL

[@afogg2006]

I was harvesting for both reasons. They are VERY good to eat and unfortunately there is no shortage of them. We don't know a ton about them but what we do know is they are bad and really the only thing that helps is when divers kill them. So why not get a bunch of fillets in the process!!

[@Mr00destruct0]

Can anything bad come from letting the local fish chow down on the ones you spear much more often? Maybe they'll pick up on the fact that young vulnerable lion fish are delicious.

[@PhilaPeter]

+Mr00destruct0 I could see "kill and release' selecting for fish that can tolerate lionfish toxin. Maybe we can have a hand in our native fishes evolution by studying whether there are any adverse effects of K&R. At the very least it would let divers kill more fish then they can carry(only carry the big boys and leave the scrappy ones). I look forward to dusting off my amateur PADI license and spearing some of these nasty buggers.

[@alexfogg4803]

+PhilaPeter Its addicting!

[@PhilaPeter]

Upon further research, it seems many places have banned K&R for the same reasons that we are not allowed to feed wild animals in state and national parks--because it makes them lazy and can lead to animal attacks. That said, can't wait to join in on the fun, Alex.

[@Zenhinra]

+PhilaPeter do you have a biology degree to back up your oppinion? Maybe it's teaching the fish populations to kill the invasive species.

[@Tigerpuffer]

Lionfish are beautiful, it's a shame idiots released them... they're so destructive. Blah. Hate to see them get destroyed like this, but I applaud you for doing your part to protect our oceans.

[@healanimatthews1140]

Tigerpuffer I was told that an aquarium near the beach had a horrible storm and a large tank of foreign lion fish got out. you're not allowed to own any lion fish in some states. especially states near the ocean.

[@chrismorrow1467]

Worst is it isn't really their fault, they are just doing what they do, but nothing in this environment can handle them

[@kisaragi_san1378]

he said in SOME states near the ocean... Not all.

[@dontforgettolike7127]

Garlic.

[@vaultdweller123]

they are pest now invasive species destroying the ecosystem

[@yonniboy1]

Doing a great job removing the destructive lionfish, ironically in their natural environment such as the Red sea the lionfish are an important part of marine life but you only have to look at the cane toad in Australia to see what harm an alien species can do.

[@MisterEcks]

This is a bad outdated practice, keep in mind that it has been shown that handing groupers/eels/sharks lionfish that were speared only teaches them that divers have food, which results in them getting greedy and biting hands.

[@ThePaperCreater]

@@MisterEcks I don't think groupers, eels or the fish in this video are going go be attacking divers

[@OahuNole]

That's good to see. The sooner the lionfish becomes a menu item for other fish, the better.

[@rgruenhaus]

As long as Pensacola restaurants aren't saying it's grouper like they did with cheap fish!

[@thenerdbeast7375]

Triggerfish might actually be a good way to solve the lionfish problem if they can get a taste for them. They are very good at disabling the thorny or spiny defenses of prey items such as urchins and spiny lobsters, so if they can get conditioned to view lionfish as prey their jaws could ship off the venomous barbs with the precision of a pair of clippers leaving the lionfish helpless.

[@adreanlinerusher]

The state of Florida should be paying you a lot every trip, or at the least a dollar a lionfish to cover gas costs etc.

[@partypickle2012]

Remember most people who do this also do it because its fun so its not like they're not getting anything from this. Some people eat them too.

[@mikepowell8611]

I think they can sell them to restaurants for 5 bucks a pound. So that probably pays for fuel and everything.

[@BeaveHolio]

They already make a mint by selling them to restaurants.

[@Volatile_moo10]

Maria Edwards This is how you cheese people Read more

[@porrasm]

At least people are starting to eat lionfish. I've heard it's good.

[@TVRExploring]

Thank you for doing the great work to help clear out these lionfish...

[@cliffcurtistruth]

There would be a market for them in the west. Out here we prices for fish and seafood are so high that no-one can afford them and many are avoiding canned tuna and salmon because the fear of possible radiation from Fukushima. Package the Lionfish up on ice, put them in refrigerated trucks to the markets of California and Nevada, with a decent price, and you'll get rich. They look like they're good eating if those spines don't pose too much of a hazard during handling.

[@davidkuznetsov9316]

This is also a great option it gives some of the life and energy the lion fish takes from the reef and gives it back pretty cool

[@bluepawn]

thanks to all divers for your great job. those lion and scorpion fish should be cleaned or we have to find their natural killers quick.

[@jayc3069]

Hey Alex thanks for doing this, I have a question and it would really be awesome if you could answer it. Did you see any triggerfish get punctured by the venomous spinea when they were feeding and if so what happened to that fish?

[@Woods677]

the spikes dont harm the fish since they cold blooded so the poison isnt as affective

[@tajlewis1064]

That’s the best things you did capture and teaching the local fish to hunt them 👍

[@michaelsong5555]

So far, I've rarely seen a wild lionfish being successfully hunted by other sea creatures. Usually, it's the humans that FEED them the lionfish.

[@gavinhuttpacificrim]

They weren't hunting them he fed them to them

[@damoderndance]

That’s what he’s saying…

[@RennieAsh]

The Triggerfish triggered the frenzy and the Snapper snapped into action and snapped up the remains

[@freemanlee6952]

Get out

[@silverdrillpickle7596]

Rennie Ash That’s a lot of snapping.

[@dreammaker9642]

I’m calling the police

[@RennieAsh]

@@dreammaker9642 Freeman Lee snapped, and Dream Maker is triggered ;-)

[@dreammaker9642]

@@RennieAsh 😂😂😂😂

[@Hawaiian80882]

O.K. I just researched it…they are an invasive: Much like the Peacock Grouper aka Roi, Ta'ape and To'au's here in Hawaii. We actually hold invasive free dive competitions for invasives.

[@Dreez76]

This was strangely entertaining. If i understand this correctly, Lionfish is a highly invasive species of fish that destroys the wildlife of the fish whereever they go ?.

[@crystalxnightmarecrystal]

Yup your right. So that's why divers are killing them.

[@billsmith-rq7ki]

If I were to drive over from Oregon, would a 22 foot aluminum deep hull fishing boat get to the good artificial reefs you guys are diving?

[@kibintinjawiliza4280]

Divers 1..... Invasive Species 0

[@jacobwenzel7055]

kibintin jawiliza and trigger 1

[@Aynmann_Aynzelfall]

more like: super invasive species 1:0 invasive species

[@veronicam2942]

🙄

[@clintyoung6851]

IM DEFINITELY GETTING MY P.A.D.I. LICENCE AND COMING OVER TO FLORIDA TO DO THIS!... only because their an invasive species and they can be eaten by humans and other fish species so nothing's going to waste :)

[@anyoneofus9948]

You don't need a licence to hunt lion fish in Florida!

[@daveblansten9866]

thank you guys for helping save our local fisheries

[@SoFloCamejo]

Cleanin our beautiful Florida waters, hats off to you sir. Great vid

[@cameronschmit6472]

It's fucking sad that people don't understand why you shouldn't release pets into the wild. Now innocent lion fish have to get slaughtered by the dozens to protect our oceans. Good news though, predators like barracudas are figuring out how to eat them safely. So at least we're making progress

[@SteelyDanimal]

Thank you for your service....

[@carmengarciarivas1386]

Alex can i use the video for a publication? with your credits, is for a scientific publication, thanks i am Ma camen García director of national park in México

[@robertnowicki6039]

Carmen, I'm a researcher up in south florida. We may be working on similar stuff; in the interest of not scooping each other and in dealing with the lionfish problem more efficiently, would you be interested in having a chat to see if we could collaborate?

[@harrymandrews]

nice video, cant believe how clear water is up there

[@brucelee5576]

The Lionfish so fearless it just stay still when being approached.

[@BudaKhan420]

Thank you for your service sir

[@ChristopherSchiffermiller]

Anyone know what those "pyramids" are/ for?

[@flynnrider4354]

Any update on this? Did the local fishes learn to hunt the invasive lion fish?

[@dylantaylor364]

Where is this filmed

[@tanayayt9283]

after 4 years, is the lionfish population can be removed/reduced now ?

[@carsales34]

fantastic job! Keep up the good work fellas

[@mattyicicles1608]

what are the point of those pyramids?

[@icefisher9072]

how does one end up doing this professionally and for a living? I'd love a job like this.

[@orangedac]

Do these snappers not get stung by the lionfish spikes? How can they just be munching away without any effect?

[@Renville80]

orangedac snapper have apparently been observed maneuvering the lionfish into a position that their spines don’t come into play, suggesting that the venom may only be effective if it is injected by the spines in the fins.

[@pepecuevas2562]

Thanks for your efforts

[@ArkaelDren]

Great on you guys, keep up the great work.

[@EmmyExe]

i would call animal abuse, but lionfish are destructive assholes.

[@dontevianmarrow5169]

What song is this

[@plazmafield]

Being from pensacola, florida, I thank you

[@ryana4419]

Why did you keep some? What can you use them for?

[@burra007]

Local restaurants are making a killing with 'em fishies

[@amirneal2871]

wats d name of d song?

[@conorarcher7772]

Clicked for lion fish stayed for the song

[@boysponge705]

name of song?

[@aychirouchiwa8791]

Hello ! Can someone tell me what's the music's title, please ?

[@jehkjshrfk]

Aychiro Uchiwa u serious? it's the chili peppers

[@aychirouchiwa8791]

jehkjshrfk I am serious and you didn't give me any titles, just a crew name, it doesn't help.

[@jehkjshrfk]

I'm sure you'll figure it out

[@aychirouchiwa8791]

jehkjshrfk Either way, thank's for the hint.

[@rickbales1880]

Good job! Thanks for saving our reefs!

[@flukeman022]

The frenzy was like 3 days before Christmas in a supermarket.

[@123TauruZ321]

Why were there so many of them on that small stone thing?

[@billgrandone3552]

Just a question, will the toxin in the lionfish spines be passed on to the meat of the fish eating them like mercury is?

[@thomasneal9291]

nope. the venom only works if injected via the dorsal spines. It's painful, but not fatal to most things.

[@billgrandone3552]

Thanks for the info Thomas but I still think I'll pass on the lionfish sushi.

[@thomasneal9291]

your loss. I've tried it when I went to Cozumel. it's good. nothing spectacular, but better than most white-fleshed fishes.

[@jonsey3645]

Thank you!

[@patriciastauffer3278]

Good video. Perhaps you should have a short description of the lion fish problem in your introduction so that some of the less informed viewers won't make ill informed comments.

[@splitraven7060]

Brilliant work!!

[@jfk64kennedy95]

I know they invasive and need culling bad, so no issues with the kill and release and the local sea life will clean up the afterkill....but the ones you take, do you eat? Ive heard when cleaned and prepared, a very tasty fish, but a lot of work

[@DickGibson]

Great stuff man!!!

[@PongzeLor]

I’m curious what is that pyramid they’re living on?

[@dorfrez]

artificial reef structure many placed privately and by the state on sandy bottoms

[@dimicaimano5734]

does it affect the fish eaten them ??????

[@cf8584]

Thank you.

[@Naraku150]

so many dislikes.. those people are dumb and have NO idea how bad these fish are... Thank you for doing this job!

[@Bolgernow]

Great work guys! Lion Fish are killing our majestic reefs as an invasive species. Wish you could get more!

[@garyshular807]

Why are they attracted to the triangular pyramid (tetrahedron) bases?

[@lknanml]

It's cover. One less direction to look for things trying to eat you.

[@jays1de]

hope y'all are still fighting the good fight almost 5 years later!

[@Bluemansonic]

What is this song, it sounds familiar

[@brianheppell4506]

must say it is about time all of these divers gave a few back to the local resident fish and lobsters etc. , well done .

[@MrRockydee07]

How much per pound or Kilogram in Japan is lion fish going for .....?

[@dreammaker9642]

Should replace their love for shark fins with a love for lion fish and the problem would be solved without a year. And you’d save the sharks and the entire ocean ecosystem with it 🙌🏼 2 birds one stone

[@---nk4mk]

Damn.. we should start doing that with crown of thrones starfish. (Idk if that's the name I forgot) since they mess up reefs to where they can't recover or leave some live coral left to regrow only to get mowed over again by the stars

[@sammysellers3882]

Great Video!!!

[@thomasbussanich544]

The only problem is that when you partially kill lionfish and feed them to other fish, those other fish dont think to go after lionfish normally, they'll always wait for you to touch it with the spear first. This exact problem is occurring here in the Cayman Islands with moray eels and lemon/reef sharks. Even worse, sometimes the moray eels will attack the diver directly now in the hopes that you drop your haul so they can go at that.

[@alexfogg4803]

Thomas, You are correct. But, I look at it like this; this is a private spot with very little diving pressure, let alone lionfish harvesting. My containment unit was full and I could either end the dive and not kill any more lionfish or I could kill them. I chose the latter and it just so happened that the triggerfish and snapper wanted a taste. This video was from last year and I have not been back to this site since. So if I had not killed those fish then they would likely still be there. I do see your concern though. There have been a number of negative interactions with eels and sharks that have become accustomed to being fed.

[@wildkatsailing]

Moray eels have no emotions, they do not hope. They feed by smell and see poorly. They do not attack divers in the hope of their dropping their catch. Giving them human motives and emotions is just silly.

[@shanek6582]

Can't believe you passed up that big snapper!

[@QU35TIONZcc]

Why do you keep the dead ones in the container anyways? I would assume leaving all of them to be picked off like this would be better?

[@gregoryeverson741]

in case they are female and have eggs?

[@ryanjohnson5266]

most of the time it's so they can be sold to restaurants

[@PortCanaveralFlorida]

GPS locations should be posted so others can help in the fight as well. Please post

[@Sumcant]

Your doing good work there mate keep it up 👍

[@thedudeabides3930]

What's with the pyramids?

[@ericf7063]

There are many reasons for the triangle shape, UFO's and chariots of the gods notwithstanding. Practicality in terms of ease in manufacturing them, stacking for transport and available surface area in a small shape for making an artificial reef. And lastly...They just look cool.

[@eplazaguest9840]

Do the smaller fish suffer from the venom later on ???

[@Charlie94781]

The triggerfish were getting high from the poisoned spikes

[@pinkandbright1234]

1:19 they were like “payback time baby”

[@Monkeydad1969]

Nice, keep up the effort.

[@brianhackert8513]

noticeable lack of interest after a few of those fish got spiked. no chance they will ever prey on a live one -- people are the only ones who are going to eat those bastards

[@sdHansy]

It's weird how much that song actually fit the vid, lol.

[@---nk4mk]

It's like Scar getting torn by the hyenas

[@1divemaster1]

Great stuff.

[@omniexistus]

so cathartic

[@gpcivil8807]

How deep were you.

[@dzgtnbz3680]

Why don't you sell the to aquarium stores..I seen them go up to 150 dollars..?

[@Flarflenugen]

Very few stores would actually buy one given it's a venomous animal. I think most states have laws against selling venomous creatures, but idk

[@TheChrisgojai]

Great music

[@MrBelmont79]

The only way to remove lionfish from the ecosystem is to incorporate this fish to our diet. Lionfish tacos, burgers...

[@cnn94001]

wondering if you can sell them to sushi bar?

[@echopeus22]

holy crap soo many on one triangle

[@noahboucher125]

Those fish tear the lions apart like they know they don't belong.

[@DonDon-te8dw]

why the snappers didn't eat/ hunt lionfish when its alive?

[@marshwalker7217]

The venomous spines are easier to avoid when its dead, I presume.

[@herrtrigger7220]

Invasive species also lurk in the comments section complaining about this awesome video.

[@omnipotentdwarf571]

There ought to be a way to make a battery powered device that can suck a lion fish through a tube with cutting blades that can chop it into little pieces, and shoot the pieces out the back for fish food.

[@scotthull2141]

haha...i thought the same thing..."chumerator" LoL😂

[@6Sisu9]

Good idea!

[@markvines7308]

Clever, and achievable!

[@fjb4932]

Omnipotent Dwarf There is. It's called a boat propeller...

[@darrellcook8253]

I like how you think. I'll get right on it.

[@123TauruZ321]

Didn't seem like you fit 50 into that small tube thing. More like 3-4 or maybe 5.

[@catherinehubbard1167]

If the fish start going after live lionfish like this, that could be a turning point. Well done!

[@Nedmarx]

Well done!! Keep it up!!