Click here for the most up-to-date lionfish distribution (our Real-Time Point Distribution Map)
Schofield (2009) provides an overview of lionfish occurrences in the Atlantic and Caribbean through August 2009. An update to this article (Schofield 2010) gives the current range of lionfish through November 2010. In summary:
Atlantic Coast of USA: Lionfishes have been established from Miami to North Carolina since 2002. They established in the Florida Keys in 2009. Although present in Atlantic waters north of North Carolina, they are not considered established there because they are not likely to survive cold winter temperatures.
Gulf of Mexico: Other than the anomalous Treasure Island specimen (see Schofield 2010), the first confirmed specimens of lionfish taken from the Gulf of Mexico were in December 2009. Sightings of lionfishes are becoming common in the northern Gulf of Mexico.
Bermuda, Bahamas, Turks and Caicos and Cayman Islands: Lionfishes were numerous in Bermuda by 2004 and established in the Bahamas by 2005, the Turks and Caicos by 2008 and the Cayman Islands by 2009.
Greater Antilles: Lionfishes are established off all islands in the Greater Antilles (Cuba [2007], Jamaica [2008], Hispañola [Haiti and the Dominican Republic; 2008] and Puerto Rico [2009]).
Lesser Antilles: Lionfish presence has been confirmed throughout the leeward Islands. There are no reports of lionfishes from the windward Islands; however, invasion is likely imminent.
Caribbean coasts of Mexico, Central and South America: Lionfishes are established from Mexico through Venezuela (Mexico [2009], Belize [2009], Honduras [2009], Nicaragua [2010], Costa Rica [2009], Panamá [2009], Colombia [2010], Venezuela [2010]). There are no records for Guatemala.
Additional maps and flyers:
Florida Keys Distribution Map
Animated Distribution Map
Report a Lionfish Sighting and Medical Treatment Information (Printable PDF Flyer)
References
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