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Mediterranean invasive species factsheet

Similar species
The long filament that extends from the upper edge
of the upper lobe of the tail fin distinguishes this
species from others. If this tail filament is broken,
medium-sized Randall's threadfin breams look like
some Sparidae species (Pagellus spp.). Pagellus
species, however, have a first dorsal fin with 11–13
spines (compared with 10 spines in N. randalli), and
molar teeth in the jaw.

More than 10 rays in the
dorsal fin

Pagellus acarne. Photo: L. Sanchez Tocino

Ecological impacts

Randall's threadfin bream feeds principally on small
benthic invertebrates (polychaetes, crustaceans,
cephalopods and molluscs) and small fishes. Its rapid
spread and increasing abundance can reduce the
biodiversity of benthic decapod crustaceans in
No filament extending from
the upper edge of the upper lobe particular, as well as native fish communities feeding
of the tail fin on these species.
Pagellus acarne

Economic impacts
In the Western Indian Ocean, Randall’s threadfin
bream is an important target species for local
fisheries (small commercial trawlers). In the
Mediterranean, it is caught in large numbers by
trawling and to a lesser extent by trammel nets and
long lines. It may well form the basis of an important
future fishery in some Mediterranean areas.

Pagellus erythrinus
Management options
These include a) early eradication of new
populations by MPA technicians through spear
fishing, and b) maintenance of healthy and abundant
Brief history of its introduction and assemblages of top predators to encourage natural
pathways control through predation.

Randall's threadfin bream is widespread in the
western Indian Ocean, including the Red Sea and References
the East African Coast. In the Mediterranean it was http://www.ciesm.org/atlas/Nemipterusrandalli.php
first recorded off Israel in 2005, as Nemipterus
Bariche, M., 2012. Field identification guide to the living
japonicus; it has subsequently been recorded from marine resources of the Eastern and Southern
Lebanon, Egypt, and from Mersin Bay to Antalya in Mediterranean. FAO Species Identification Guide for
Turkey. Nemipterus randalli appears to have an Fishery Purposes. Rome, FAO. 610 pp.
established population in the eastern Mediterranean Drawings: Juan Varela
that extends at least from Haifa Bay, Israel, to the
Cevlik coast of Iskenderun Bay, Turkey.

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