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Mediterranean invasive species factsheet

Similar species
There are several other Exocoetidae species in the
Mediterranean. In all of them the pectoral fins
reach back beyond the anal fin base; in P. mento,
however, the pectoral fin is long but does not reach
beyond the anal fin base.

Brief history of its introduction and
pathways

This species originates from the Indo-Pacific
region; it is widespread from East Africa, including
the Red Sea, to Australia. It migrated through the
Suez Canal to the Mediterranean, where it was
The native species, Dactylopterus volitans. Photo: X. Corrales
first recorded from Palestine in 1935, and it has
subsequently been recorded in the Aegean Sea
and eastern Mediterranean in the coastal waters
off Syria, Egypt, Libya, Albania, and Tunisia.

Ecological impacts
It feeds on zooplankton and also on small fishes.
Its impacts are unknown.

Economic impacts
The native species, Hirundichthys rondeletii. Photo: B. Noble Fishbase
This species is caught occasionally in purse seines
but its relatively small size means that it is of little
commercial importance. As its main food is pelagic
invertebrates and fish larvae, it could have a major
impact on other commercial species.

Management options
These include a) early eradication of new
populations by MPA technicians through fishing,
and b) maintenance of healthy and abundant
assemblages of top predators to encourage natural
control through predation.

References

http://www.ciesm.org/atlas/Parexocoetusmento.php
Bariche, M., 2012. Field identification guide to the living
marine resources of the Eastern and Southern
Mediterranean. FAO Species Identification Guide for
Fishery Purposes. Rome, FAO. page 348
Drawings: Juan Varela

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