A new species of invasive venomous fish, the 'Striped Eel Catfish', has been found in Cypriot waters

The Northern Cyprus Turtle Conservation Association reported that a new invasive poisonous fish species, the "Striped Snake Catfish" was encountered in Cyprus waters. The association warned that this fish is poisonous, should not be handled, and should be referred to the hospital as soon as possible if it stings.

In the statement made by the association, it was noted that more than a thousand species of invasive fish live in the Mediterranean, only a small part of them are poisonous, among which the best known in the country are the stinging puffer fish and lionfish.

In the statement, it was reported that the Striped Eel Catfish (Plotosus lineatus) was added to the foreign invasive fish species, all of which entered the Mediterranean through the Suez Canal, and the following details were shared:

“The existence of this species in the Mediterranean has been known since 2002. There were reports that it had reached the shores of Turkey and spread. However, its presence in Cypriot waters was proven for the first time in April, when a fisherman with whom we cooperated in the Dipkarpaz region within the scope of our Bycatch Project was caught in his nets.