CER Lionfish

​The Invasive Lionfish

By Winifred Pruden

​Guiding Question

How has the introduction of Red Lionfish affected the ecosystem in the Western North Atlantic?

Lionfish( Pterois volitans)

Lionfish( Pterois volitans) are an invasive species in warmer waters of the Atlantic coast. These fish are native to the Indo-Pacific ocean but have spread rapidly since they were first seen off the coast of Florida in the mid-1980s. It is believed that they were illegally released  from home aquariums. 

Lionfish( Pterois volitans)

Lionfish eat many small fish and crustaceans, which puts them in competition with native species like angelfish and groupers. They also eat herbivorous fish that keep the growth of algae in check.

​The algae overgrowth harms the staghorn coral reefs. Grouper and angelfish are natural predators of sponges, which also compete with coral reefs.

The lionfish invasion is one of the largest wildlife invasions ever, under the sea or on land

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​Lionfish distribution map

Multiple Choice

Which claim sentence best answers the question and should be scored as a 3 on the CER rubric?

• Some species increased and some decreased.

• The introduction of the Red Lionfish into the Western North Atlantic decreased the angelfish and coral population and increased the sponge population.

• The introduction of the Red Lionfish in the Western North Atlantic caused a dramatic change for all species.

• The introduction of the Red Lionfish into the Western North Atlantic increased the angelfish population and decreased the sponge population.

Open Ended

Choose one of the incorrect claims and explain why it is NOT a three and what it's score would be based on the rubric.

Example Answer:

Claim ___ would only score a ____ because....

A. Some species increased and some decreased.

C. The introduction of the Red Lionfish in the Western North Atlantic caused a dramatic change for all species.

D. The introduction of the Red Lionfish into the Western North Atlantic increased the angelfish population and

decreased the sponge population.

Multiple Select

Which three pieces of evidence best support the claim and would follow the following sentence prompt? (Choose 3)

According to the data displayed in the graph regarding the introduction of the Red Lionfish in the Western Atlantic Region…  

• A. increasing Red Lionfish increases angelfish. They were less than 10% of their population.

• B. when the Red Lionfish were introduced around year 20, they increased from 0% of the population to over 325% of the normal population by year 30.

• C. when the Red Lionfish was introduced, the angelfish decreased. At year 20 when the lionfish were introduced, the angelfish were at 100%, by year 30, they were less than 10%.

• D. The sponge population increased from 110% of the normal population to 150% of the normal population from year 25 to year 30.

• E. They increased from 110% of the normal population to 150% of the normal population.

Open Ended

Choose ONE of the other evidence statements and explain why didn’t you choose them. Write in complete sentences .

A. increasing Red Lionfish increases angelfish. They were less than 10% of their population.

E. They increased from 110% of the normal population to 150% of the normal population

Example Answer: Evidence Statement ___ does not support the claim because....

Multiple Select

Which TWO reasoning sentences best link the evidence to the claim?

• A. Red lionfish are said to be introduced by people who release them from home aquariums.

• B. Red Lionfish reduce the staghorn coral reef ecosystems by eating the fish that keep algae in check. The overgrowth of algae harms the staghorn coral.

• C. Red Lionfish originally come from the Indo-Pacific but have spread rapidly since they were first seen off the coast of Florida in the mid-1980s.

• D. Red lionfish and the Staghorn coral reefs are struggling with climate change, pollution, and overfishing.

• E. Red Lionfish reduce the numbers of angelfish, which are natural predators of sponges, and therefore sponge populations increase