Known from as far north in New York to as far south in Florida. Source of the fish may have been the six lionfish lost during Hurricane Andrew, deliberate releases from private aquariium keepers when the fish became too big for the aquarium and small lionfish larvae which came in through ballast water of ships from the Indian or South Pacific oceans (Ref. 49194). Currently, the population size of the species is small and may suggest minimal ecological impact, however if there would be an increase in population size they may significantly affect marine communities of Florida (Ref. 83503). Also Ref. 117434.