What a lion’s mane…
Posted by Adam Jadhav | Filed under india
In some ways, like a peacock
Lionfish are wonderful to stare at with all their spines splayed like feathers or a shock of hair as the glide slowly until its time to strike. Nighttime at the Wall.
Tags: andaman and nicobar, divemaster training, fish, india, lionfish, ocean, photography, scuba diving, the wall, wildlife
Lions in the night
Posted by Adam Jadhav | Filed under india
Probably annoyed with me
Poisonousbutbeautiful. Out for a stroll at night. Caught in the flash. From the Wall.
Tags: andaman and nicobar, divemaster training, india, lionfish, ocean, photography, scuba diving, the wall, wildlife
Wondrous to look at, less fun to touch
Posted by Adam Jadhav | Filed under india
Beautiful but painful
Meet a common lionfish, a voracious eater common to the Indian Ocean. The fluttering spines all over it deliver a powerful toxin. Not deadly to humans on their own, but the severe pain caused could easily produce a problematic reaction if you’re, say, 100 feet underwater.
In recent years, lionfish have been devastating Atlantic reefs where they are an invasive species. They are multiplying practically as fast as they devour sea life, possibly because populations of a potential predator, grouper, are so depleted.
This has led the dive and conservation community to create lionfish hunts to check the pest. Apparently, the fish is rather tasty, though ciguatera would likely be a concern.
The above fish comes from Johnny’s Gorge. While taking this photo, I nearly drifted into its mate nearby. Close call.
Tags: andaman and nicobar, fish, india, invasive species, johnny's gorge, lionfish, ocean, photography, scuba diving
Beautiful but excruciating
Posted by Adam Jadhav | Filed under india
A prowling Common Lionfish
The visibility was lacking, but I caught this lionfish out stalking. They are solitary, predatory fish that aren’t common but usually can be spotted resting on or against the reef once or twice on a dive.
The fish has a wide of array of spined fins which deliver a powerful and horribly painful toxin, like all members of their family, Scorpaenidae. It’s not deadly but the pain can last for hours, according to divers who have been unfortunate enough to brush up against a lionfish.
During the day, they often park themselves motionless. When swimming in the open, they usually move slowly and deliberately, sometimes hovering (as above) in odd positions.
Tags: andaman and nicobar, aquarium, environment, fish, india, island, lionfish, ocean, pain, photography, scuba diving, toxin, wildlife
