One of the world’s deadliest fish was recently discovered in the Adriatic Sea off the Croatian island of Ceja. Loud HNA Fisherman Anton Vidović caught seven hare’s-head pufferfish (Lagocephalus sceleratus), a species known for its deadly poison, during his harvest on Monday.
Poisonous fish discovered in the Mediterranean
These poisonous fish originally came from the Indo-West Pacific and spread to the Mediterranean via the Red Sea, according to the University of Pula, which confirmed the alarming discovery. The emerging threat is the ability of this invasive species to significantly impact biodiversity in the Mediterranean. Since it has no natural enemies in the new waters, its spread could have serious consequences.
The University of Pula also warned that the puffer fish contains an extremely strong poison, tetrodotoxin. This poison is mainly concentrated in the fish’s gonads and liver, but is also found on the skin. It is thought that a dose of just one to two milligrams can be fatal.
The water in the Mediterranean is becoming increasingly warmer, encouraging the spread of toxic and invasive species such as the hare-headed pufferfish. Holidaymakers and locals are urged to be particularly careful about fish with a square snout, prominent incisors and a silver stripe on their lower body.
Pufferfish are becoming dangerous for fishermen
There have already been deaths in Greece and Turkey, where the hare’s-head puffer fish has been widespread for some time. For this reason, catching and eating fish is prohibited there. The animal poses little danger to people on the beach because it is considered very shy. For fishermen, however, the fish can become a problem. Its sharp front teeth can destroy nets and it often eats prey directly from the hook.
Lionfish are also becoming an increasingly serious problem in the Mediterranean region. They are spreading just as much as the hare-headed pufferfish – favored by climate change. Austrian zoologist Alexander Kotrschal has already suggested combating the lionfish invasion by putting the animals on the menu in restaurants.