Scorpionfish can be found around the island of Cyprus, although they are not often spotted by divers as they are masters of camouflage. They are usually between 5 and 20 cm long, although some species can grow to 50 cm and weigh up to 2 kg. They are bottom dwellers, mainly found in rocky areas. Scorpionfish are sluggish fish that cling to the bottom as they have no air bladder and are found at depths of 2 to 200 metres.
They generally live as solitary creatures, camouflaged and waiting for their prey to approach. They feed on molluscs, crustaceans and fish.
The hard rays of the first dorsal fin and the spines of the gill covers are venomous. Symptoms of stinging include localised pain, swelling and redness at the site of contact, fever and difficulty breathing. It is therefore advisable to seek medical attention after contact.
The grey triggerfish lives at depths of 10 to 100 metres individually or in loose groups over rocky bottoms and seagrass beds. Grey triggerfish are solid blue-grey, blue-green, olive or brownish.
The unpaired fins bear small light blue spots. The fish grow to a length of 60 centimetres.
You can regularly see triggerfish on dives at Zenobia Wreck. Animals of impressive size now live here.
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The pufferfish has migrated from the Red Sea to the Mediterranean, where it is causing quite a stir. It can be found off Cyprus, the Turkish coast or in the Levantine Sea (eastern Mediterranean), where it is considered one of the most invasive species. The pufferfish has a strong set of teeth and plates, with which it bites not only crustaceans but also mussel shells. It is also extremely poisonous, both to humans and to larger predatory fish. The pufferfish reproduces quickly and appears to be very adaptable. For example, it feeds on marine animals that have become entangled in fishing nets, which can lead to huge losses in fisheries.
The pufferfish is actually quite a pretty sight. A spiny, silvery animal with many dots on the top of its body, it can live for up to ten years and grow to a length of one metre. If it feels threatened, it will swallow large quantities of water and inflate into a ball that looks much bigger than it is, spoiling the appetite of predators. more »
Lionfish are actually native to the tropics and the Red Sea. They migrated to the Mediterranean Sea via the Suez Canal a few years ago. Since they have no natural enemies here, they can reproduce unhindered. And they do so diligently: each female lays up to 30,000 eggs – every two days! This makes them an omnipresent threat to the native inhabitants: lionfish are optimally camouflaged by their spotted colouring and are among the most successful hunters in the Mediterranean.
They grow up to 40 centimetres, have poisonous spines and are spreading rapidly in the Mediterranean: Lionfish, also called lionfish. An EU-funded project has now declared war on the poisonous fish, which destroy coral reefs and decimate other fish species. Now the battle has been declared against the fish, so that they are useful after all. more »
