Exotic fish could be threat to environment

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., April 9 (UPI) -- Divers have spotted yellow tangs, lionfish and other species from exotic locations in waters off southeast Florida and that's a problem.

The South Florida Sun-Sentinel in Fort Lauderdale reported the fish most likely were released by aquarium hobbyists.

They could pose a potential threat to native fish and other marine life, an article in the Marine Ecology Progress Series said.

It is not clear whether any breeding populations have been established in waters off Florida. But scientists and wild life officials say the introduction of the outside species could be a major problem.

The non-native species may not have any natural predators or competitors and fish or plants that never had a chance to develop defenses could be destroyed.

Parasites or diseases also could be introduced.

"You're setting in motion a chain of events where you don't know the outcome," said Scott Hardin of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.