After years of unconfirmed sightings and rumours, the lionfish has officially been recorded in Maltese waters.Marine biologist Alan Deidun announced that a Devil firefish (Pterois miles), one of the two known lionfish species, has now been caught and photographed locally, providing the first confirmed evidence that the invasive species has reached Malta.The fish was caught by James Mamo, whose discovery marks a significant milestone for researchers monitoring the spread of invasive marine species across the Mediterranean.“For quite some time, various reports had circulated of lionfish being spotted or even caught in Maltese waters, but there was never any photographic or physical evidence to confirm the claims,” Deidun explained.That has now changed.The lionfish is considered one of the world’s most successful marine invaders. Native to the Indo-Pacific, it has spread rapidly across parts of the Mediterranean and the western Atlantic, where it has had a devastating impact on local marine ecosystems.One of the reasons the species is so successful is its lack of natural predators in invaded waters. Lionfish are voracious hunters, feeding on a wide variety of smaller fish and crustaceans, often outcompeting native species and disrupting marine food chains.The species is also equipped with highly venomous fin spines. While stings are rarely fatal to humans, they can cause intense pain, swelling and other serious symptoms, meaning divers, swimmers and fishermen should avoid handling the fish if encountered.Deidun thanked James Mamo for documenting the discovery, along with his research collaborators Bruno, Mariolina, Alessio and Arnold, as well as the Annales journal for supporting the ongoing research.The confirmed sighting also highlights the importance of citizen science. Members of the public who spot unusual marine species are encouraged to report them through the Spot the Alien Fish campaign, helping researchers track the spread of non-native species around the Maltese Islands.With the lionfish now officially joining the growing list of invasive species recorded in Malta, marine experts will be closely monitoring whether this is an isolated arrival, or the beginning of a much larger population establishing itself in local waters.Have you ever seen a lion fish?Credit: James Mamo•