Professor of zoology Mark Hixon of Oregon State University describes the deadly rampage of escaped red lion fish in Atlantic and Caribbean coral reefs. Released from aquaria, the red lion fish has spread along the south Atlantic seaboard, Bahamas and Caribbean. They are incredibly effective predators and a threat to the health of the reefs. Research conducted in the Bahamas shows that a single lionfish reduces the abundance of juvenile fish by 80 percent.

Credit: Video: Oregon State University/National Science Foundation
Underwater footage: Mark Albins, Oregon State University

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