Tropical striped damselfish recorded in the Gulf of Antalya
A tropical fish species encountered for the first time in the warming waters of the Mediterranean is being examined and reported by experts.
The striped damselfish species, which lives in tropical and temperate seas, was filmed by divers off the coast of Kemer in the Gulf of Antalya.
Spotted by Divers
Hakan Erdön and Hüseyin Soylu, who were diving around a hotel pier in the Kemer district, photographed a different fish species they had not seen before and reported the situation to experts.
Species Identity Determined
Prof. Dr. Mehmet Gökoğlu from Akdeniz University Faculty of Fisheries determined after examining the sent footage that the fish, weighing 50-60 grams, belongs to the striped damselfish genus.
To Be Announced to the Scientific World
Stating that a specimen is needed to precisely identify the species of the fish, experts will bring this new exotic species detection in the Gulf of Antalya to the world agenda with a scientific article.
Tropicalization Process in the Mediterranean
Pointing out that the Mediterranean is becoming more tropical with each passing year, experts stated that the number of Red Sea-origin fish species in the region has reached 74 and diversity is constantly increasing.