After reading Clarity's trip report, I now have a new fear of lionfish. Can anyone please tell me more about them? HOW poisonous are they? What should I do when I see one? Where do they hang out? Do they hide or are they visible? Do they travel solo or in groups? ............and most importantly, where is the place to eat one? Speaking of poisonous things........anything else I need to fear in the water??
Thank you in advance and blessings to you and yours.
There are countless things to fear in the water.
So much so that you could talk yourself out of ever going in, but don't.
Walking the streets of Negril is far more dangerous than going in the water and not nearly as pleasurable. (I'm referring to traffic not anything else.)
Lionfish (because of their poisoness spines) move much slower than most fish.
While they will defend their territory they're not going to pursue you.
Simply stay away from them and you'll be safe.
If you want to swim in the sea get some relatively inexpensive competitive style swim goggles (they only cover your eyes-unlike a mask).
This will allow you to see what you may be swimming into (like jellyfish) and they'll protect your eyes from the sting of salt water.
Enjoy the water!
Last edited by Rum-polephoreskin; 01-26-2012 at 04:28 PM. Reason: clarification
Yeah I haven't ever ran into anything on the Seven Mile so I should count myself lucky. Its like anything though be aware of your surroundings and don't do anything silly and you will be just fine!
Some people were born in the wrong century....I was born in the wrong country!
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Follow the advice above and use a mask or goggles and don't touch anything then you'll be OK.
Jelly fish, sea urchins, and fire coral are the things most likely to hurt you, but they can't if you
don't touch them. Even if you do, it's not life threatening.
Respect,
Col. Andy & "Wildcat" Pam
I wouldn't brush off the danger too quickly, but I also wouldn't cancel my vacation plans, either. As stated above, don't touch them, and you'll be fine.Originally Posted by Wikipedia
lionfish aren't as bad as sharks! lol
Biggs, I get your point . . .
but the difference between sharks and lionfish is that sharks evolved naturally as part of the Caribean ecosphere, that is not the case with lionfish and the lionfish are negatively impacting the health of Caribean reefs, which essentially means the entire Caribean ecosystem.
I'd probably soil my swimsuit if I saw a shark (other than a nurse shark) while I was swimming but I wouldn't advocate their wholesale slaughter.
Lionfish on the other hand should be eradicated from the entire Atlantic, because they're an invasive species.
Anyone have a picture of what they look like?
Are you living, or just existing?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pterois
Or you can google...they have TONNES of images for them.
Some people were born in the wrong century....I was born in the wrong country!
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The basic scuba diving rule that also applies here is beware of anything that will let you touch it. They're are not scared of you for a reason.
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