Lionfish
Pterois volitans
Sighting evidence at U-352, North Carolina
Photo: 808_Diver · CC BY-NC
Invasive lionfish have established a dense population on U-352, sheltering inside the wreck's compartments and along the hull ledges. Their venomous spines make them effectively predator-free in Atlantic waters, and they reproduce rapidly, posing a significant threat to juvenile reef fish populations. Research teams from NOAA regularly survey this wreck to monitor the lionfish invasion's impact on the broader wreck ecosystem.
Evidence at this site
No confirmed records on file at this site
Lionfish is listed as a curated species here based on historical reports.