2019

2017

UNA, TS

It is a pelagic organism, that mainly occurs in the upper layers of the water column. Yet, in the north-eastern, north-western and western Black Sea where it is invasive, it can be found up to 1000 m deep.They are gonochoric. Cyclopoid copepods have four major life phases: egg, nauplii, copepodites and adult. They are mainly feeding on small flagellates and microzooplankton.

It successfully competes other even larger copepod species. Nevertheless the impacts on the zooplankton community diversity are not very well known. In addition, small copepods are considered to be a suitable prey for the early fish larvae of numerous species. This could favor the fish stocks, yet such impacts have not been recorded yet.

Small copepods are considered to be a suitable prey for the early fish larvae of numerous species. Yet, how this affects the fisheries catches is still unknown.

No

No

2017

UNA

Red sea goatfish

Usually seen in small groups on sandy bottoms near coral reefs and rocks.

No impact on biodiversity has been reported to date.

No impact on health and ecosystem services has been reported to date. It is very often sold in the markets and taverns, together with the native surmullet (Mullus surmuletus). Thus it has a commercial importance to fisheries.

Yes

No

1983

UNA

It is a neritic species, inhabiting shallow waters, around coral reefs and rocky outcrops of tropical and temperate waters. It preys at nights on zooplankton.

No impact on biodiversity has been reported to date.

No impact on health and ecosystem services has been reported to date.

2009

est

Devil firefish, Lionfish

It lives in a wide variety of shallow habitats (sandy-muddy, rocky, and Posidonia oceanica meadows), but mainly rocky and at depths up to 150 m.
It is a voracious predator that can eat practically every organism that fits in its mouth, and feeds mainly on fish and crustaceans.

According to spear-gun fishers, it occupies crevices previously sheltering groupers. Moreover, being a voracious predator is expected to strongly impact the native biota. Yet, the magnitude of its impacts is still unknown.

Venomous, that in cases can cause allergic reactions and may be dangerous to humans. Predation upon fish and other commercial species could potentially cause impacts on fisheries. Appealing for snorkelers/divers.

Yes

Yes (painful sting)

1991

UNA

Lives mainly in coastal waters in seagrass meadows, along mangroves and intertidal mudflats. Found under rocks and in rock pools, on sandy or muddy substrate. Opportunistic predator, primarily a carnivore preying on a variety of benthic animals and less marine plants and sea

The populations of P. segnis, an omnivorous predator much larger than any of the sea’s native portunid crabs, and lacking predators as adults, may outcompete local taxa.

There are negative impacts on fishery economy that relate to the predation by blue swimming crabs on fishing catches and the damage of fishing nets where they get entangled.

Yes

No

1986

UNA

Purple whelk

Rapana venosa has a wide range of habitats, including rocky shores, mussel beds, oyster reefs, sand, silt, eelgrass beds, and pilings, at depths from 0.5 to 25 m. It is carnivorous whose main diet consists of a variety of molluscs including native oysters and may be scavenger on carrion.

R. venosa has become established in the Black Sea with significant damage to native benthos (e.g. bivalves; notably Ostrea edulis, Pecten ponticus, and Mytilus galloprovincialis).

In Ukrainian waters, it destroyed the oyster banks in the area of the Kerch Strait and in Karkinitsky Bay. Hence, the species has a severe impact on all ecosystem services provided by mussel and oyster biogenic reefs.

Yes

No

2006

UNA

Nomad jellyfish

It lives close to the water surface, forming large swarms. Recorded at a distance of 2-4 km off shore but can be swept near the shore and into the intertidal zone. Usually of 40-60 cm in size, but can reach up to 90 cm.

Forms dense swarms that might outcompete the native jellyfish Rhizostoma pulmo. It serves as a shelter for juveniles of the alien fish Alepes djedaba. High abundances of the fish were related with increased numbers of the jellyfish.

Very dangerous to humans, as it can cause painful injuries that may lead to hospitalizations. This results in problems to sea tourism and related leisure activities. Due to the large swarms formed, it may clog fishing nets, pipelines in power plants, etc, causing a serious economic problem.

No

Yes (painful sting)

<1971

UNA

Mainly found on sandy or muddy substrates to about 100 m, but more common inshore close to islands or coasts in depths of 20-30 m. Mainly piscivorous.

No impact on biodiversity has been reported to date.

No impact on health and ecosystem services has been reported to date. It is a commercial species, important in the trawl fishery of the Gulf of Suez and the Mediterranean coast of Egypt, where it is in a state of high overfishing and severe overexploitation. Also economically important fish in the north-eastern Levant, listed among the most common species (almost one third of the catch) in the trawl fishery.

Yes

No

1947

UNA

Redcoat

Found in coastal reefs, silty reefs or wrecks in lagoons, bays, or harbors. Also found hidden in caves and cracks of rocks during the day, usually in areas subject to strong currents. Feeds mainly on benthic crabs and shrimps, also preys on small fishes. Spine of preopercle venomous.

No impact on biodiversity has been reported to date.

The venomous spine might cause a painful sting. No reports on severe cases.

Yes

Yes (painful sting)