Why is the lionfish an invasive species?

1 Answer
Dec 11, 2016

The lionfish is an invasive species because its current range extends outside its natural range.

Explanation:

The lionfish is an invasive species because its current range extends outside its natural range. Lionfish are native to the Indian and South Pacific Oceans.

The species' natural range below.
http://oceanservice.noaa.gov/education/stories/lionfish/factsheet.html

The species' extended range:
http://escambia.ifas.ufl.edu/marine/2012/08/17/the-invasion-of-the-lionfish/

The lionfish is a top predator and consume all sorts of fish and invertebrates. They have few predators and reproduce often. This invasive species can have devastating effects on coral reefs, as they consume many fish and species that are ecologically important.
http://flowergarden.noaa.gov/education/invasivelionfish.html

Read more about them and why lionfish present such a problem here.