A TOXIC pufferfish with an extremely dangerous bite and flesh that’s lethal to consume is invading a holiday hotspot.
Scientists have raised the alarm over the northernmost sighting of the silver-cheeked toadfish – and say it’s a “direct threat to tourism, especially in areas frequented by swimmers”.
The silver-cheeked toadfish has been sighted very far north in the Adriatic Sea[/caption]
This specimen was caught off the coast of Croatia in May last year[/caption]
Croatia’s Medulin Bay is home to many tourist hotspots[/caption]
It’s an extremely poisonous type of pufferfish that’s normally found in the tropical waters of the Indian and Pacific oceans.
But it has now invaded the Mediterranean Sea after making its way through the Suez Canal.
Now scientists have spotted it in the Medulin Bay off the coast of Croatia – a holiday hotspot for Brits – and have issued a serious warning.
“This invasive species is known for its aggressive behaviour,” said study co-author Dr Neven Iveša.
“With reported cases of bites causing significant injuries.
“Alarmingly, recent evidence from the southern and eastern Mediterranean shows that these bites can result in severe injuries, such as partial amputation of fingers.”
In May last year, researchers caught a 52cm long male weighing just over a kilo at around 65 feet below sea level.
It’s the fourth recorded catch in the Adriatic, and the northernmost so far.
Scientists say that the dangerous fish poses a threat to local marine life, fisheries, and “public safety”.
Aside from its dangerous bite, the fish is also a risk due to its flesh and organs.
They contain a potent neurotoxin called tetrodotoxin, which can be lethal if consumed.
It’s now increasingly common in fishing catches in the Mediterranean’s coastal regions.
And scientists warn that the fish is spreading “aggressively” since its first sighting in 2003.
“The presence of Lagocephalus sceleratus in the northern Adriatic is a clear warning sign of the species’ expanding range and potential ecological and economic consequences,” said Dr Iveša, of the Croatia’s Juraj Dobrila University.
A map reveals the most northerly catch of the pufferfish so far[/caption]
WHAT DOES THE FISH LOOK LIKE?
Here’s what you need to know…
The silver-cheeked toadfish looks like a pufferfish but more elongated.
It has a symmetric tail fin.
The fish is usually grey or brown on the back, with dark spots.
And its belly would normally be white.
Look for the hallmark silver ban that runs along the sides of the fish.
A silver-cheeked toadfish can typically measure up to 40-55cm in length.
“Proactive monitoring and management strategies are important to mitigating its impact on local marine biodiversity, fisheries, and public safety.”
The first sighting of the fish in the Adriatic was in October 2012, on the northern side of Croatia’s Jakljan Island.
It has since been seen a number of times, but the 2024 catch was the most notherly.
And the fish has a powerful bite that can put tourists at risk.
The Adriatic Sea is a prime summer tourist hotspot – but swimmers could be at risk of dangerous bites from the invasive pufferfish[/caption]
“Although such cases are rare, they highlight the potential danger this species poses to humans,” said Dr Iveša.
“These risks not only create safety concerns for swimmers, but also threaten the image and appeal of tourist detistinations.
“Potentially leading to economic losses in local tourism and related industries.”
Scientists are now recommending the “targeted removal” of the species during its spawning period.
The silver-cheeked toadfish, or Lagocephalus sceleratus, is believed to have entered the Mediterranean via the man-made Suez Canal[/caption]
And they say it’s important to warn the public about the fish, and get them on board with reporting sightings.
The research was published in Acta Ichthyologica et Piscatoria.
