Last Saturday (23), a fisherman was attacked by a lionfish while accessing the beach of Bitupitá (CE). The animal, in addition to threatening 29 other species of Brazilian fish, is also dangerous for bathers, as it is a venomous type that corners its prey with thorns.
It is the first time that such an incident has occurred in a natural environment in Brazil. The fisherman had one of his feet pierced when entering an area called the fishing corral, the most favorable place for the appearance of the lionfish, which is usually found in shallow waters. He had fever, convulsions and two cardiac arrests, and was taken to Camocim hospital.
According to the professor and researcher at Labomar – one of the research laboratories at the Federal University of Ceará (UFC) – Marcelo Soares, responsible for catching the fish, the thorn can remain in the human skin and must be removed. Despite the poison, cases of death are rare.
The species was found in two municipalities in Ceará, Itarema and Bitupitá. Thirty lionfish were found between Itarema and the extreme west of Piauí. The first capture of the marine animal was reported by the CNNwhen only nine had been retained.
Native to the Indo-Pacific region, they live near coral reefs, tend to live up to 15 years and can weigh around 200 grams.
Lionfish are a cause for concern for biologists, who fear that the Brazilian fauna will face problems such as those seen in the Caribbean region. There, he reproduced on a large scale and decimated local species. This is because it is an invasive species, that is, it does not belong to that habitat, and therefore has no natural predator in the region.
(* Under supervision of Giulia Alecrim)
Source: CNN Brasil
