Evidence for the occurrence of the Indo-Pacific stonefish, Synanceia verrucosa (Actinopterygii: Scorpaeniformes: Synanceiidae), in the Mediterranean Sea

Abstract

The stonefish, Synanceia verrucosa Bloch et Schneider, 1801, was recorded for the first time in the Mediterranean. The fish was caught by trammel net, at a depth of 3 m, recorded on video and then released. Its occurrence is presumed to be due to either Lessepsian migration or as an escapee from aquaria.

Keywords

• Synanceia verrucosa
• Stonefish
• Mediterranean
• Les