Lionfish Handling

[Sea Draggin]

On waterman there was someone talking about catching these aquarium critters.

What is the best way to handle them? Do you just go ahead and kill them and how. Can they still sting you when they are dead?

[clt_capt]

The spines that form the dorsal are poisonous. They can still affect you after they are dead. The poison is reportedly fairly mild, and it is recommended to immerse the would in hot water for 30 -60 minutes if you get stuck. We just don't take a chance.

We use a de-hooker and try to limit contact as much as possible

The few we have caught, we have killed and thrown back as fish food.