State Parks & Wildlife tells Texans to eat an invasive species, because they're 'delicious'

Photo byWai SiewonUnsplash

We're gonna need a bigger plate.

Move over, mackeral. Cool it, catfish. Back your trolley up, tuna fish — because there's a new sheriff in town.

The Texas Parks & Wildlife Department, in a response to a growing problem with an incredibly invasive fish, is suggesting that Texans do something about it. Namely, put a bib on and get ready for chow time.

It's believed the red lionfish moved westward in the Gulf of Mexico after being released from an aquarium in Flordia (why is it always Florida?). This species of lionfish reproduces rapidly, they're hardy fish, and they're aggressive, excellent predators.

A juvenile cocoa damselfish found in the mouth of a red lionfish.Photo byTexas Parks & Wildlife Department

Which is why they're such a problem — with large appetites and few natural predators, the venomous fish has been devastating marine ecosystems along the Gulf Coast. According to TPWD, they've found this particular sea critter chowing down on damselfish — a key critter in protecting coral reefs and controlling algae. Damselfish are already being threatened by climate change. They, too, are an aggressive fish — but one much smaller than the lionfish, and they make for easy prey.

They also feed on a number of other fish, crustaceans, and various invertebrates.

So to that, TPWD says, if you can't beat 'em from eating, well, eat 'em back.

In a post to Facebook, the Coastal Fisheries division of TPWD explained that the fish continues "to remain a threat to local marine ecosystems, as they eat numerous native species at an alarmingly high rate."

But there's good news: "Luckily for us, this invasive species is an edible and delicious fish that is fit for human consumption. Lionfish have white, flaky meat, and some even say their flavor is similar to grouper or mahi mahi."

They went on to share a recipe for lionfish cevice.

Lionfish can easily destroy local reef ecosystems, because they prey on over 40 different species of Texas fish — many of them involved, like the damselfish, in reef maintence.

By their aggressive, opportunistic feeding and huge appetites, they bring populations of smaller, herbivorous fish down. Those fish maintain reefs by eating algae growing on them. Without the algae removed, the reefs can decay and rot.

According to the Texas Invasive Species Institute, lionfish were likely introduced into U.S. waters in the late 1980s or early 1990s, and most likely due to the aquarium trade. Researchers from Cal State Long Beach have also looked into the aquarium trade's effects on introducing invasive species to various waterways within the U.S., including "killer algae." Galveston, Houston, and Corpus Christi have been key points of entry into Texas of a variety of invasive species, surf or turf.

Today, these invasive lionfish are found throughout the Gulf, down to South Padre. They're not the only invasive fish in the state's waters. Earlier this month, a hybrid peacock chiclid, native to East Africa's Lake Malawi

Lionfish are not the only invasive fish species in Texas. Earlier this month, a non-native hybrid peacock cichlid — another aquarium fish — from one of Africa's great lakes, Lake Malawi, was caught near Leander. TPWD issued a warning to not throw them back into the water if they're caught.

In the spirit of TPWD's "Eat 'Em to Beat 'Em" initiative for snacking on the lionfish before it snacks on local fish, here's a few more recipes to check out:

Blackened Lionfish with Creamy Potato Salad

Lionfish and Chips (if you prefer your chips less British-style and more tortilla — pairs well with mango salsa)

Lionfish Tacos

So how about it, my fellow Texans? Are you ready to grab a skillet and eat 'em to beat 'em? Let me know in the comments.

And if you like this piece, come stop by A Boy & His Dog Save America, where I talk about nature, conservation, and the best parts of Americana.