Fauna of the Sea of Azov

The ichthyofauna of the Sea of Azov currently includes 103 species and subspecies of fish belonging to 76 genera and is represented by migratory, semi-migratory, marine and freshwater species.

The most common fish in the Sea of Azov

Among the Azov passable fish there are valuable commercial species such as beluga (sturgeon), starry sturgeon, herring, Vimba vimba, Russian sturgeon, bester  and danube bleak. Semi-passable fish include mass species such as pikeperch, bream, Rutilus heckelii, Pelecus cultratus and some others. Among the marine species, there are the permanent inhabitants of the Sea of Azov - so-iuy mullet, Black Sea turbot, European flounder, Black Sea sprat, Common percarina, three-headed stickleback, Broadnosed pipefish, all kinds of gobies and a group of fish coming from the Black Sea, including those making regular migrations: Azov and Black Sea European anchovy, Black Sea herring, mullus, golden grey mullet, leaping mullet, flathead grey mullet, scophthalmus maeoticus, horse mackerel, mackerel and others.  Freshwater species usually permanently inhabit one area of a water body and do not make large migrations. These species inhabit usually desalinated areas of the sea. Such fish as sterlet, prussian carp, northern pike, pike, Ide, common bleak, etc. are found here.

Zoobenthos of the Azov Sea

Molluscs occupy a dominant position in the benthic biomass. Their skeletal remains, represented by calcium carbonate, have a significant specific weight in the formation of modern bottom sediments and accumulating overwater bodies. In 1989, the invasive mollusc Anadara kagoshimensis was discovered for the first time in the Sea of Azov. Molluscs and worms have managed to preserve their ancient species: Loripes lucinalis, Pectinariidae, Mytilaster.

What mammals live in the Sea of Azov?

Marine mammals are represented by one species, the harbour porpoise. It is the smallest of the cetaceans. Representatives of the local Azov-Black Sea population are smaller than dolphins from other parts of their range. 

Jellyfish of the Sea of Azov

The Sea of Azov is inhabited by two species of jellyfish that have arrived here from the Black Sea through the Kerch Strait - Rhizostomeae and Aurelia aurita. 

Inhabitants of the bottom of the Sea of Azov

The seabed has become home to many aquatic inhabitants such as Nereis, Rapana, Upogebia pusilla.

Turtles of the Sea of Azov

Several species of turtles can be found in the Sea of Azov. Among them: Caretta caretta, Dermochelys coriacea, Chelonia mydas.

Dangerous inhabitants of the Sea of Azov

Dasyatis pastinaca - this stingray cannot kill a person, but if it encounters one it can injure and inject venom. Thornback ray - covered with many spines, it is dangerous and wounds should be treated carefully. Rhizostomae - the venom of these jellyfish is not dangerous to humans, but contact with them can cause burning, irritation, redness of the skin.

What sharks are found in the Sea of Azov?

Sharks in the Sea of Azov are represented by a single species - the spiny dogfish. This shark rarely exceeds 1 metre in length and is completely safe for humans.