Fish of the Mediterranean

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🌍 16 invasive species

Invasive Species of the Mediterranean

Warming waters and the Suez Canal have opened a corridor for tropical species to settle in the Mediterranean. Meet the newcomers reshaping the ecosystem.

These species — many of them Lessepsian migrants that entered through the Suez Canal — often lack natural predators here, and some compete directly with native fish for food and habitat. A few are edible and increasingly appear on local menus, which is itself part of managing their spread. Tap any card for the full species page.

Atlantic Lizardfish

Atlantic Lizardfish

The Atlantic Lizardfish, also widely known as the Lizardfish, is one of the most distinctive and strange fish in the Mediterranean, resembli...

Barracuda

Sphyraena sphyraena / Sphyraena viridensis

The European Barracuda is one of the most capable and rapid predators of regional seas. The body is elongated and cylindrical, like a torped...

Bluespotted Cornetfish

Bluespotted Cornetfish

Fistularia commersonii

The Bluespotted Cornetfish, also widely known as the Cornetfish, Smooth Flutemouth, or Trumpetfish, is arguably the most successful and rapi...

Eastern Mosquitofish

Eastern Mosquitofish

Gambusia holbrooki

The Eastern Mosquitofish is a small fish of fresh and brackish water that originates from North America, specifically the eastern United Sta...

Flying Fish

Cheilopogon heterurus / Parexocoetus mento

The Flying Fish is a true marvel of natural engineering. It is the only fish capable of emerging from the water and performing actual flight...

Goldband Goatfish

Goldband Goatfish

Upeneus moluccensis

The Goldband Goatfish is a relatively new visitor to regional seas. It is a Lessepsian migrant, meaning it is a species that migrated into t...

Mediterranean Parrotfish

Mediterranean Parrotfish

Sparisoma cretense

The Mediterranean Parrotfish is one of the most colourful, unique, and recognisable fish of the regional seas. It belongs to the Scaridae fa...

Narrow Barred Spanish Mackerel

Narrow Barred Spanish Mackerel

Scomberomorus commerson

The Narrow barred Spanish Mackerel, also widely known as the King Mackerel, the Narrow barred Mackerel, or the Kingfish, is one of the most...

Pearly Razorfish

Pearly Razorfish

Xyrichtys novacula

The Pearly Razorfish, also known as the Cleaver Wrasse or Razorfish, is one of the most unusual and fascinating fish in coastal waters. It b...

Rabbitfish

Siganus rivulatus and Siganus luridus

The Rabbitfish is one of the most well-known Lessepsian migrants that entered the Mediterranean from the Red Sea via the Suez Canal. The bod...

Redcoat Squirrelfish

Redcoat Squirrelfish

Sargocentron rubrum

The Redcoat, often referred to as a Squirrelfish or Soldierfish, is a visually striking fish with a vibrant red colour. It is a Lessepsian m...

Redeye Round Herring

Redeye Round Herring

Etrumeus golani

The Redeye Round Herring, also known as the Golani Round Herring or the Maray, is a small pelagic fish that is one of the most successful Le...

Sand Smelt

Atherina hepsetus, Atherina boyeri, and Atherinomorus lacunosus

The Sand Smelt is one of the most well-known small fish in the Mediterranean and features a slender, elongated, and partially transparent bo...

Silver cheeked Toadfish

Silver cheeked Toadfish

Lagocephalus sceleratus

The Silver-cheeked Toadfish is one of the most dangerous invasive species in the Mediterranean. It belongs to the family Tetraodontidae, com...

Toothcarp

Aphanius fasciatus

The South European Toothcarp is a small, endemic fish of the Mediterranean Sea belonging to the family Cyprinodontidae. Its most prominent f...

Vanikoro Sweeper

Vanikoro Sweeper

Pempheris vanicolensis

The Vanikoro Sweeper, commonly referred to simply as the Sweeper, is a small and strange fish that has flooded the shallow, rocky coasts of...

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