KEY LARGO, FL (AP) -- Scientists in the Florida Keys discovered the first non-native lionfish in the region that is home to the country's only living coral barrier reef.
The veracious eater has been rapidly multiplying in the Caribbean's warm waters. Officials believe the fish, a tropical native of the Indian and Pacific oceans, likely escaped from a Florida fish tank during a 1992 hurricane.
It has since been spotted as far north as Rhode Island, but hadn't been seen in the Keys.
A recreational diver reported seeing the fish off Key Largo. Scientists removed it Wednesday. They fear an invasion could devastate area reefs, as it has no known predators in the area. Officials are relying on divers to report sightings so they can immediately remove the fish.
(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
