Expert fishmonger urges people to cook and eat 'voracious predator': 'This is strangely satisfying'

An expert fishmonger is doing his part to spread the word on how to turn one of the Atlantic's worst invaders into the base of a delicious dinner.

Reed The Fishmonger (@ReedTheFishmonger) shared a TikTok video of how to properly butterfly lionfish.

@reedthefishmonger Eating invasive Lionfish can provide several benefits to both the environment and local economies. As a voracious predator, Lionfish disrupt native marine ecosystems by preying on smaller fish, leading to imbalances in coral reefs and other sensitive habitats. By including Lionfish in your diet, it helps to control their population and reduce their negative impact on native species. Additionally, Lionfish are delicious, offering a new culinary option that can support local fishing industries and provide a sustainable alternative to overfished species. #Lionfish #invasivespecies #coralreef ♬ original sound - reedthefishmonger

The video goes step-by-step in making sure that you tame what the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration brands as a "venomous, voracious predator" and make it safe for eating.

Reed begins that effort by removing all the barbs and fins that can spread venom residue to eaters even after lionfish are dead. From there, Reed scrapes the scales and rinses the fish before cutting it open.

It's time to remove gills, guts, and other undesirable parts of the fish. With the edible parts of the lionfish fully separated, Reed cheerfully trash-talks the remaining part of the fish with a "What are you looking at?" 

While this might seem like a somewhat insignificant display of fish preparation, it's actually a big boost to the ecosystem. Lionfish are creating massive problems on the Atlantic after being inadvertently introduced through the aquarium trade.

They don't have many native predators in the water, and their resourcefulness, flexible diet, and speedy reproduction means they are taking over. That spells doom for disadvantaged native fish and the local reefs. Europe is also struggling to control the prolific invader.

An increasingly popular strategy of dealing with invasive species that overtake new ecosystems is eating them. This extends to iguana eggs in Florida and wild boar across the U.S.

For lionfish, once you put in the proper work like Reed did, they can provide a tasty, flaky meat that is good enough to end up on restaurant menus.

"By including Lionfish in your diet, it helps to control their population and reduce their negative impact on native species," Reed writes in the caption. He also touts it as a sustainable option over overfished species, which can help boost the local fishing industry.

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Commenters were intrigued and impressed by Reed's handiwork, and some endorsed the lionfish's flavor.

"This is strangely satisfying and I'm here for it," one remarked.

"Had it in Belize it was grilled w some dry rub," a user wrote. "One of tastiest fish i have eaten."

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