Lionfish in the coastal waters off Cyprus – A threat

An invasive species in the sea off Cyprus is the lionfish. Originally from the Indian Ocean, this fish is common in the Red Sea, but is now also found in the Mediterranean, first off Cyprus.

Divers who encounter a lionfish should not touch it under any circumstances. This is because the conspicuous spines contain a strong neurotoxin. The fish uses this to defend itself when it feels threatened. For humans, the poison is not deadly, but painful.
But these intruders are not only a problem for us humans, but above all for the entire underwater world.