CER Lionfish

Some species increased and some decreased.

The introduction of the Red Lionfish into the Western North Atlantic decreased the angelfish and coral population and increased the sponge population.

The introduction of the Red Lionfish in the Western North Atlantic caused a dramatic change for all species.

The introduction of the Red Lionfish into the Western North Atlantic increased the angelfish population and decreased the sponge population.

A. increasing Red Lionfish increases angelfish. They were less than 10% of their population.

B. when the Red Lionfish were introduced around year 20, they increased from 0% of the population to over 325% of the normal population by year 30.

C. when the Red Lionfish was introduced, the angelfish decreased. At year 20 when the lionfish were introduced, the angelfish were at 100%, by year 30, they were less than 10%.

D. The sponge population increased from 110% of the normal population to 150% of the normal population from year 25 to year 30.

E. They increased from 110% of the normal population to 150% of the normal population.

A. Red lionfish are said to be introduced by people who release them from home aquariums.

B. Red Lionfish reduce the staghorn coral reef ecosystems by eating the fish that keep algae in check. The overgrowth of algae harms the staghorn coral.

C. Red Lionfish originally come from the Indo-Pacific but have spread rapidly since they were first seen off the coast of Florida in the mid-1980s.

D. Red lionfish and the Staghorn coral reefs are struggling with climate change, pollution, and overfishing.

E. Red Lionfish reduce the numbers of angelfish, which are natural predators of sponges, and therefore sponge populations increase