Fauna of the Mediterranean Sea

The fauna of the Mediterranean is characterised by a great diversity of species, but the number of representatives of each species is small. There are crayfish, one species of seal (the Mediterranean monk seal), sea turtles and 550 species of fish.


Zooplankton of the Mediterranean Sea

The Mediterranean Sea is characterised by a relatively low quantitative development of zooplankton, resulting in relatively few large animals, including fish, feeding on them.


Most common fish in the Mediterranean

Sharks, scombridae, clupeidae, anchovy, mugilidae, coryphaenidae, tuna, sarda, trachurus, etc. are the most common species found in the Mediterranean. About 70 species of fish are endemic, among them: rays, some species of hamsa, gobies, dogfish, guban, needlefish. 


What mammals live in the Mediterranean?

Mammals in the Mediterranean include dolphins, white-bellied seals, killer whales and porpoises. Turtles are also found.


Molluscs of the Mediterranean

The most important edible molluscs are the oyster, the Mediterranean-Black Sea mussel and the sea date. 


Mediterranean invertebrates

Among the invertebrates, octopus, squid, sepia, crabs, achelata are common; species of jellyfish, siphonophores, thaliaceans, pyrosomes are abundant; sponges and red corals inhabit some areas.


Are there sharks in the Mediterranean?

There are believed to be more than 40 species of sharks in the Mediterranean Sea. The list of the most famous species includes:

Carcharodon carcharias - great white shark;

Galeocerdo cuvier - tiger shark;

Odontaspis taurus - sand shark;

Carcharhinus leucas - bull (bluntnose) shark;

Carcharhinus longimanus - oceanic longfin shark;

Isurus oxyrinchus - mako shark;

Heptranchias perlo - seven-gill shark;

Sphyrna mokarran - giant hammerhead shark;

Prionace glauca - blue (blue) shark;

Carcharhinus melanopterus - blacktip shark;

Negaprion brevirostris - lemon shark.


Dangerous inhabitants of the Mediterranean

There are not many inhabitants in the Mediterranean Sea that are dangerous to humans. These are: luminous violet jellyfish, hermodice carunculata, sea eels and moray eels, stingrays, sea ruffs, and dasyatis.


Poisonous fishes of the Mediterranean

Trachinus draco is the only dangerous fish in the Mediterranean that can attack humans first. It has venomous spines that contain a powerful toxin that can cause prolonged pain.


Jellyfish of the Mediterranean

In total, there are more than 200 species of jellyfish in the Mediterranean. The most common species are Cotylorhiza tuberculata, Aurelia aurita, Pelagia noctiluca and Cassiopea Andromeda. Mediterranean jellyfish live at different depths, from coastal areas to the deep sea. 


Exotic animals of the Mediterranean

One of the most famous inhabitants of the Mediterranean is the Caretta caretta, or sea turtle. This unique and rare species attracts attention with its charming appearance and unusual way of living in the marine environment. Other interesting creatures include the common dolphin and the Atlantic white-sided dolphin. 



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Shark, Sand Tiger

Shark, Sand Tiger

Latin name Carcharias taurus Other names Sand Tiger shark Identification It has a grayish-brown..

Shark, Shortfin Mako

Shark, Shortfin Mako

Latin name Isurus oxyrinchus Other names Blue pointer, bonito shark, dog shark, short-nosed macke..

Shark, Tiger

Shark, Tiger

Latin name Galeocerdo cuvier Other names Tiger shark Identification Dark bluish-gray or brownis..

Shark, White

Shark, White

Latin name Carcharodon carcharias Other names White pointer, white death, man-eater, great white ..

Sharks

Sharks

Identification Like all fish, sharks are vertebrates, but ichthyologists separate them from most bo..

Sharks, Hammerhead

Sharks, Hammerhead

Latin name Sphyrna species Other names Hammerhead sharks Identification Hammerheads are easy to..

Shi drum

Shi drum

Latin nameUmbrina cirrosaOther namesGurbell, sea crow, bearded umbrine and corb.IdentificationBody e..

Spinner dolphin

Spinner dolphin

Latin nameStenella longirostrisOther namesLong-snouted dolphinIdentificationThe main characteristic ..

Striped dolphin

Striped dolphin

Latin nameStenella coeruleoalbaOther namesEuphrosyne dolphinIdentificationIt is distinguished from o..

Thornback ray

Thornback ray

Latin nameRaja clavataOther namesRaja clavataIdentificationThe body is rhomboid, the head is short a..

Tuna, Bluefin

Tuna, Bluefin

Latin name Thunnus thynnus Other names Atlantic bluefin tuna, northern bluefin tuna, tunny fish, ..

Tuna, Skipjack

Tuna, Skipjack

Latin name Katsuwonus pelamis Other names Skipjack, ocean bonito, arctic bonito, striped tuna, wa..

Tuna, Yellowfin

Tuna, Yellowfin

Latin name Thunnus albacares Other names Allison tuna, albacore, autumn albacore, yellowfinned al..

Turbot

Turbot

Latin nameScophthalmus maximusOther namesBrat, britt, britt, butt.IdentificationThe body is diamond-..

Velvet belly lanternshark

Velvet belly lanternshark

Latin nameEtmopterus spinaxOther namesVelvet belly, Peshkaqeni barkzi (Albanian), Noshchna akula (Bu..

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