In the coastal waters of the Black Sea again fix a dangerous alien - a tetradon silver. This type of fish does not belong to the natural fauna of the region and can pose a serious threat to both marine ecosystems and humans. This was reported in the State Environmental Inspectorate of the Southwestern District.
Lagocephalus sceleratus, better known as a fish-ball, is a poisonous predator originally from the Indo-Pacific. Once in the Suez Canal into the Mediterranean, it gradually moves to the north and was first recorded near the Ukrainian coast in 2014.
A characteristic feature of tetradone is the ability to inflate the body to a spherical shape. But the main danger lies in a powerful neurotoxin - tetrodotoxin, which is quite small to cause fatal poisoning. That is why consumption of this type of fish is strictly forbidden.
In addition to toxicity, tetradone has strong jaws that can damage fishing tackle. It also feeds on small fish, shellfish and crustaceans, displacing local species from the ecosystem. In other regions, in particular in the Mediterranean, significant economic losses were recorded due to its spread.
Due to climate change and water warming, experts expect an increase in tetradone and more actively displacement along the Black Sea coast. This creates additional risks to fishing, environment and human health.
In the case of tetradone detection, environmentalists call on:
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do not touch the fish with your hands;
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fix the location of detection (coordinates or landmark);
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make a photo or video with a scale (ruler, hand);
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Report the find of the State Environmental Inspection.
Contact information and instructions for the message are available on the official site of the State Inspectorate.
