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Mediterranean invasive species factsheet

Similar species plankton eater consuming small crustaceans and the
The Indo-Pacific marine atherinid fishes eggs and larvae of other species, its impact,
Atherinomorus forskalii, A. lacunosus, and A. pinguis although not yet known, may be significant.
are similar to each other in having a broad mid-
lateral band (roughly equal to or greater than the Economic impacts
mid-lateral scale width), a large mouth, and no It is a very common species in some Mediterranean
distinct tubercle at the posterior end of the dentary countries but, due to its small size, it is not generally
bones. The three species have long been confused commercially fished, except in Egypt.
with each other and regarded as a single species.
Atherinomorus forskalii is endemic to the Red Sea
and is the only species to have migrated to the Management options
eastern Mediterranean through the Suez Canal. It These include a) early eradication of new
differs from A. lacunosus and A. pinguis in having populations by MPA technicians through fishing, and
prominent, large teeth that form very obvious tooth b) maintenance of healthy and abundant
ridges. assemblages of top predators (tuna, seagulls, etc.) to
encourage natural control through predation.

The two dorsal fins are
separated from each other
References
http://www.ciesm.org/atlas/Atherinomorusforskali.php

Kimura, S. et al., 2007. Redescriptions of the Indo-Pacific
atherinid fishes Atherinomorus forskalii, Atherinomorus
lacunosus, and Atherinomorus pinguis. Ichthyological
Research, Vol 54, Issue 2, 145-159

Brilliant silvery band
A native species, Atherina hepsetus

Atherinomorus lacunosus. Photo: J.E. Randall

Brief history of its introduction and
pathways
Atherinomorus forskalii is endemic to the Red Sea.
The first record in the Mediterranean was in waters
off Alexandria, Egypt, in 1902 (as A. lacunosus). It
has subsequently been recorded in Israel, Turkey,
Lebanon, Greece, Libya, and Tunisia.
Drawings: Juan Varela
Ecological impacts
Little is known of its biology. The presence of large
schools could have a positive effect as A. forskalii is
an important prey for larger species. However, as a

100 Monitoring Marine Invasive Species in Mediterranean MPAs: A strategy and practical guide for managers