Invasive Species Management:

SIZE

12-15 Inches in length
 About 2.5 Pounds
(Larger in invasive habitats)

DIET

Lionfish are carnivorous, feeding mainly on crustaceans and fish

LIFESPAN

Wild Lifespan: Unknown
Captivity Lifespan: Approx. 10 years
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HABITAT & RANGE

 Native to the Indo-Pacific
Invasive off the East Coast of the United States & the Caribbean
Lionfish have been described as "one of the most aggressively invasive species on the planet"- Species of Mass Destruction. Season 1. Episode 2. 2013 The Science Channel:
​ Venomous Lionfish
We at Teton Leather, have partnered with INVERSA in their efforts to turn invasive species into luxury leather goods. 
As a result of human error in the late 1980s, a handful of lionfish slipped undetected into Atlantic waters off the coast of Florida.

​In less than 40 years the lionfish has completely taken over the Atlantic, from Brazil to Boston to
Barcelona, destroying native fish populations and coral reefs.
Picture
Each of our lionfish products are made from INVERSA tanned invasive lionfish and are skillfully crafted by our master artists.

Why Do Invasive Lionfish Need Management?

Appropriately named for their maned appearance, lionfish are fierce predators that can eat up to 70,000 native reef fish through their lifetime.

Are Lionfish arguably the most detrimental marine invasive species?
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  • ​Invasive lionfish stomachs can expand up to 30 times; enabling them to consume up to 20 native reef fish in just 30 minutes. (Source: Science Daily)
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  • Each female can lay up to 6,083,333 eggs per year. (Source: NOAA Marine Sanctuary)
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  • Invasive lionfish negatively impact the overall reef habitat by eliminating crucial organisms that serve important ecological roles such as herbivorous fish that keep alga in-check. (Source: Florida Fish & Wildlife)
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  • On average, a single invasive lionfish residing on a coral reef kills 79% of baby native reef fish within 5 weeks. Swiftly decimating native repopulation. (Source: NOAA Marine Sanctuary & Vox)​

Can They Be Managed?
Efforts:

INVERSA has put a tidal wave of bright minds and innovative efforts behind the invasive lionfish issue.  Turning these destructive predators into a fine, market ready leather - teaming up with high end luxury brands around the world.​

Lionfish • Monochrome

$429.00
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Lionfish Brackish • Sauce

$429.00
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Lionfish Brackish • Clutch

$1,499.00
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Every lionfish product uses AT LEAST one full hide, meaning that one item helps protect 70,000 native reef fish, 79% of baby native reef fish in an affected area, and contributes to the millions of people that rely on a healthy native ecosystem to feed their families through small-scale fisheries.

PBS News Hour:

Want information on a specific species without waiting?

​Conservation and ethical use is an incredibly important subject that deserves time and attention.

This informational section of our website is under constant construction and no information will be uploaded without intensive research into the topic/species first. 

We understand you may want information on a certain species. Please keep in mind each species we utilize WILL be added to this page and we appreciate your patience while we gather accurate information for you. 

*Source information will be listed when applicable