Bluespotted cornetfish, Fistularia commersonii Rüppell, 1838: A lessepsian sprinter

Abstract

Bluespotted cornetfish, Fistularia commersonii Rüppell, 1838 is a Lessepsian migrant, recorded for the first time in the Mediterranean in Israeli waters in 2000 and two years later off Rhodes Island, south-eastern Aegean Sea. The presenty described case of a single specimen constitutes the first record of its northernmost appearance, caught with trammel-nets in the waters off Loutra Agias Paraskevis (Chalkidiki Peninsula, North Aegean Sea), indicating its fast spreading ability. Based on previously reported data on its feeding habits, its fractional trophic level was calculated and ranged from 4.1 to 4.5, a fact indicating that it is a higher order carnivore. The rate of northward expansion for the 16 Lessepsian migrants found in the Greek seas is also discussed.