Invasive red lionfish Pterois volitans blow directed jets of water at prey fish

Marine Ecology Progress Series

Mark A. Albins¹  Patrick J. Lyons¹ 

关键词: Lionfish;    Invasive species;    Predation;    Piscivory;    Prey naïveté;    Marine fishes;   

DOI  :  10.3354/meps09580

学科分类：海洋学与技术

来源: Inter-Research

【 摘 要 】

ABSTRACT: Field and laboratory observations of feeding by invasive Pacific red lionfish Pterois volitans were conducted during June through August of 2008, 2009 and 2010 near Lee Stocking Island, Bahamas. Observations of this invasive marine predator revealed a previously undocumented piscivorous behavior. While slowly approaching prey fish, lionfish produce jets of water directed toward their prey. These jets may confuse or distract prey, and often result in prey fish facing the attacking lionfish, increasing the probability of head-first capture and swallowing. While a variety of fishes are reported to create directed water jets, to our knowledge, this is the first report of a fish that does so during the capture of fish prey. This behavior may confer a high degree of predatory efficiency, and thus contribute to the dramatic success of this Pacific invader of tropical Western Atlantic and Caribbean coral reefs.

【 授权许可】

Unknown