Fauna of the Sea of Marmara

The Sea of Marmara is a unique ecosystem that serves as a transitional region between the Black Sea and the Mediterranean Sea. It is home to more than 230 species of fish, including 13 species of sharks. 

Most common inhabitants of the Sea of Marmara

There are many species of fish, from small and colourful tropical fish to huge sharks. The most famous fish are mackerel, herring, anchovies, mullet, tuna, atlantic horse mackerel, sarda, rays, gobies and others, as well as oysters, mussels, squid, crabs, lobsters and others.

Fish habitats in the Sea of Marmara

Eastern part: anchovy, mackerel, herring, tuna, pike-perch, sea bass. Northern part: halibut, cod, flatfish, mackerel, sardine. Western part: Atlantic tuna, sea bass, sea bream, pikeperch, gilt-head bream.

What kind of sharks are there in the Sea of Marmara?

The Sea of Marmara is home to several species of sharks, including the great white shark, tiger shark and hammerhead shark.

Reptiles of the Sea of Marmara

Turtles are the symbol of the Sea of Marmara. Every year, hundreds of turtles come to this coast to lay their eggs and continue their lineage.

What mammals live in the Sea of Marmara?

In addition to fish, the Sea of Marmara is home to a number of mammals, including dolphins, sea turtles and whales.

Molluscs of the Sea of Marmara

The waters of the Marble Sea are an ideal habitat for octopus and squid. 

Jellyfish in the Sea of Marmara

The Chrysaora hysoscella jellyfish can be found in the Sea of Marmara. Its sting is poisonous. The Phyllorhiza punctata jellyfish, which is completely harmless to humans, and the Aurelia aurita jellyfish can also be found.

Exotic fish from the Sea of Marmara

The Marmara Sea is also famous for its picturesque coral reefs, which are home to a variety of fish species. One of the most famous inhabitants of these coral reefs is the clownfish.


Atlantic cod

Atlantic cod

Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) is a marine fish of the cod family. Body length up to 170 cm, weight up ..

Atlantic halibut

Atlantic halibut

Atlantic halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus) is a marine fish of the flatfish family. It has a spike..

Atlantic herring

Atlantic herring

Latin Name           Clupea harengus harengus (Linnaeus, 1758). Titl..

Atlantic horse mackerel

Atlantic horse mackerel

Latin nameTrachurus trachurusOther namesEuropean horse mackerel, common scad.IdentificationIt has a ..

Black Sea turbot

Black Sea turbot

Latin nameScophthalmus maeoticusOther namesKalkan, Scophthalmus maeoticus.IdentificationThe body is ..

Bonito, Atlantic

Bonito, Atlantic

Latin name Sarda sarda Other names Common bonito, katonkel, belted bonito; French: bonito à dos r..

Bream, Sea

Bream, Sea

Latin name Archosargus rhomboidalis Other names Seabream, brim, tropical sheepshead, chopa amaril..

Cod, Atlantic

Cod, Atlantic

Latin name Gadus morhua Other names Cod, codfish, codling, scrod; French: morue de l’Atlantique; ..

Crabs

Crabs

An infraorder of ten-legged crustaceans living in salt and fresh water.Crabs (Brachyura) are short-t..

European seabass

European seabass

Latin nameDicentrarchus labraxOther namesEuropean bass, sea bass, common bass, white bass, capemouth..

Gilt-head bream

Gilt-head bream

Latin nameSparus aurataOther namesDorado (Spanish).IdentificationBody oval, torso flattened at the s..

Goby (Gobiidae)

Goby (Gobiidae)

The gobies (lat. Gobiidae) are a family of ray-finned fishes in the order Gobiiformes. More than 200..

Greater weever

Greater weever

Latin nameTrachinus dracoOther namesTrachinus draco Linnaeus, Trachinus lineatus Bloch & Schneid..

Halibut, Atlantic

Halibut, Atlantic

Latin name Hippoglossus hippoglossus Other names Common halibut, giant halibut, right-eyed flound..

Herring

Herring

Latin name Clupea Other names American Shad, Atlantic Herring, Alewife, Threadfin Shad Identific..

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