Lionfish. Impossibly beautiful, incredibly invasive.

Arriving on Florida’s shores in the 20th century, the initial lionfish population invasion probably resulted from an accidental or intentional release from a hobbyist fish tank. Since then, their numbers have exploded, stretching across the Atlantic and Gulf coasts. Reef species, lionfish cruise these aquatic habitats for prey, both outcompeting native fish and gobbling up their future generations. Because lionfish are rarely caught on hook and line, they are most effectively removed from the environment by trained divers.

Read the entire article at National Parks Traveler!