Belize Lionfish Project
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SECTION II       CLASSIFICATION       MORPHOLOGY        HABITAT       LIFE CYCLE      QUIZ 2     

HABITAT PREFERENCE

​HABITAT
Lionfish tolerate a wide range locations, temperature, depth and salinity and are
found throughout tropical and subtropical areas including:
  • shallow and deep reefs
  • sea grass beds
  • mangroves
  • estuaries
  • harbors
  • canals
  • wrecks
  • piers​

​Lionfish exhibit high site fidelity and studies have shown 74% do not venture further than 10 meters/ 33 ft from capture location (Jud & Layman 2012).
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TEMPERATURE
Temperature appears to be a limiting factor on lionfish distribution.  Lionfish have been observed in water as cold as 13°C/56°F and as warm as 30°C/86°F.  Based on the tolerance of lionfish to cooler temperature scientists have estimated the potential future range based on the lethal thermal minimum of 10°C / 50°F. This predicted range is indicated in the red hatched shaded area in the map below.  However, studies have shown that lionfish stop feeding at temperatures of 16°C/61°F and cooler, so in order to survive in the cooler temperatures they would need to adapt.​ 

DEPTH
In their native range lionfish have been found in water depths to 175 meters/ 575 feet.  In Belize lionfish have been caught by fishermen bottom fishing off the drop off in water depth greater than 
 152 meters/500.


SALINITY
Studies have shown them to tolerate low salinity waters of 10 ppt, normal sea water is about 35 ppt.  


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Thermoclines of oceans indicates a sharp decrease in temperature between 300-600 ft.  Given temperature limits distribution they would not survive much deeper than 500 ft.
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USGS World Range Map
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St George's Caye, PO Box 1234, Belize City, Belize Tel: +(501) 223-3022, Cel: +(501) 673-3022
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  • Home
  • History
  • Honor Roll
    • Registration
    • Submit Catch Report
    • Lionfish Culling Map
  • Online Course
    • INTRODUCTION
    • Continued Reading
  • Contact