Lionfish are a type of fish native to the tropical waters of the Indian Ocean and Pacific Ocean. Lionfish were first reported off the south east coast of the USA in the 1980s. Lionfish are an alien species to this area. Their lack of a natural predator in these waters resulted in their numbers increasing dramatically, allowing them to migrate to new areas. They have now become established across the Caribbean. Their numbers are so high that they are now a threat to many native species.