Yes, I know it sounds a little crazy, but it’s true there are Lions in the sea. Okay, so it’s a Fish, but it can have a pretty deadly ‘bite’ to it.

The Lion Fish is quite a colourful character, even considered pretty by some. But it has spiny fins that contain a nasty venom and they are coming to a shoreline near Cyprus, very, very soon.

These fish are usually found in more exotic locations around the indo-pacific waters of the planet and they have been known to be deadly to divers and fishermen. Young children can be very vulnerable to the sting  with the result of extreme pain, nausea, vomiting, fever, breathing difficulties, convulsions, dizziness, headache, numbness, pins and needles, heartburn, diarrhoea and sweating. Sometimes, but rarely, the venom causes temporary paralysis of the limbs, heart failure and even death.

The problem is these fish are now invading Mediterranean waters due to work carried out on the Suez Canal. The Female frequently releases two egg clusters, which can contain 15,000 eggs. This means they expand into new areas at an alarming rate.  They feed voraciously on small fish, invertebrates and molluscs and have few natural predators. Some marine experts have attempted to train sharks to feed on lion fish in an attempt to control the invasive populations in the Caribbean. But a hopefully more successful approach to culling lion fish is underway in some Caribbean islands where they a promoted as good for human consumption. Lion Fish & Chips perhaps?

Personally, I’ll be more wary of where I put my feet when I go for a swim and not licking my lips at the prospect of finding a tasty lion fish.

Tom Kane (c) 2016

A Pat on his Back tells the story of our move from England to Cyprus.

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Andys Scribbles on WordPress: “…believe me everyone thought I was insane when I spat out my newly-bought smoothie onto the guy sitting near me in the bus because I was laughing so hard…”

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By Sylvia on 20 April 2016
“I enjoyed reading the book as I also have a house in Cyprus and have come across some of the same problems as Tom and his wife. Most of what he says I can relate to quite well. He has an entertaining way of describing life in Cyprus for a non Cypriot.”