Meet Spike, a giant of the deep - the 18 inch long lionfish is believed to be a world record breaker. He's one of two Lion Fish at the Sequarium in Rhyl and is more than half an inch longer than the largest recorded specimen ever caught. Display's Manager Paul Tyson says measuring lionfish is difficult as they have poisonous spines along their backs. But in Spike's case it was worth the effort to discover that he is a world-beater. Paul said: "Lionfish were originally found in the Indo-Pacific regions but they became popular in the aquarium trade and have since spread worldwide. They are bought when small but grow rapidly and often outgrow their tanks, leading to owners releasing them rather than killing their beloved pet. In the Caribbean they are now at such high numbers they are considered a pest and their capture for the table and recreational fishing in being actively encouraged. We've done a lot of research and as far as we know, the largest recorded Lionfish ever caught is 17 1/2 inches long." Our aquarium vet, who is consultant to virtually all public aquariums in the UK has said they are the largest lionfish she has ever seen, as have other professionals in the industry. "We are really proud of our lionfish which are now around seven years old which is a good age as their normal lifespan is between five and seven years. They tuck into a diet of squid, sand eels and sprats. We are certain that Spike is a world record breakers when it comes to size and I don't think anyone could come up with a bigger specimen whether from the wild or in captivity." Lionfish are nocturnal ambush predators. They lie motionless, hidden amongst weeds or rocks waiting to ambush their prey. They will spread their large pectoral fins wide to corral their prey and then swallow them whole with one gulp. They have poisonous spines across the back which gives a sting equivalent to a bee sting. These are used for defence and the lionfish will raise them and point the back towards its predator. Spike can be seen daily over the bank holiday at the Seaquarium Rhyl. |
