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"Nasrallah" not only in Lebanon but also here at the bottom of the sea in Haifa

As someone who spends an average of four hours a day diving, every day underwater is different.

The list of invasive species in Israeli waters is long, but there is one fish that managed to attract my attention as a veteran diver from Haifa. This fish, nicknamed "Nasrallah", was named so due to its initial appearance on the shores of Acre, where a large shoal was observed on the horse beach. This is a poisonous fish, whose bite is very painful. The pain lasts for several hours and in most cases disappears.

"Nasrallah" fish ► Watch


Venomous Mustache Band (Photo: Motty Mendelsohn)

How did the fish get its name?

When I was asked what comes to mind when I see the big band, I replied that it reminds me of Hezbollah soldiers. Thus, the fish was named "Nasrallah". It is interesting to note that Nasrallah himself heard about this and reacted sarcastically. Since then, the fish has received a lot of attention.

Marved, stinging dongit (photo: Motty Mendelson)
Marved, stinging dongit (photo: Motty Mendelson)

The spread of the fish - poisonous whisker (Nasrallah fish)

In recent dives, I encountered small and large schools of the fish. Its scientific name is poisonous mustache and its origin is in the Red Sea, an extension of the Indian Ocean. What is interesting is the size of the young individuals. The whisker fish moves in groups when it is small, and at a certain size it separates from the group and becomes solitary. The color of the fish is dark purple and along the length of the fish are light to white stripes.

Mustaches in the structure (photo: Motty Mendelson)

Dangers and treatment of bites

The poisonous fish spines can cause painful bites, and the usual treatment is heat that breaks down the poisonous protein. Even in cooking, the poison breaks down. This fish was seen a lot this year on the beaches of Haifa, hence the report. The fish hardly ever reaches declared bathing beaches, probably due to fear of humans. When the people who were stabbed by him were asked why they touched him, most of them replied that he looked cute, which is actually quite true.

Stinging Dongit (Photo: Motty Mendelsohn)

More life under water

In addition to the story of the fish, there are other rare sights in the sea in Haifa. For example, last Saturday 13/7/24, a rare phenomenon of a small wandering threadworm was observed that was ensconced in a carpet of a Dungit sea lily. This sea lily appears mainly in summer, and this year much more than previous years. In the underwater world there are known cases of small jellyfish being captured by sea lilies, and that was the end of it.

Jellyfish inside the jellyfish (photo: Motty Mendelsohn)

good news

And finally, another piece of good news is that the hermit crab, which disappeared from Haifa's shores about forty years ago, is beginning to return. Perhaps this is a sign that Israel will also return to better days.

Crimson - Back to the Bay (Photo: Motty Mendelsohn)
Crimson - back to the bay (photo: Motty Mendelson)

contact: At watsapBy email

Motty Mendelssohn
Motty Mendelssohn
Marine researcher (diving, underwater photography) and marine and environmental ecology for 35 years. Lecturer in the field for about 20 years. You can order a lecture, or a series of lectures accompanied by unique and spectacular photos, taken during many years of research, in Israel and abroad, ecological tours within Israel and tours of the Dead Sea sinkholes • 050-7271157 • [email protected]

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28 תגובות

  1. Everything you said about Dag Nasrallah is interesting and funny. Congratulations on choosing your profession.

    • Thanks Michal.
      Yes, it just shows how much the enemy is testing us.
      And this case makes me laugh to this day.

  2. They are amazing. I saw it and didn't know it was a dangerous fish. How important and good to have you
    Dear Muti. Fascinating

  3. who get on the bus in Sharon, all are foreign workers, Russia, Ukraine, Barsa, India, Pakistan, Africa, they sold the country to the rest of the world, you destroyed the country, it makes me think of leaving this country

  4. There are invasive species of humans from India, Pakistan, all kinds of places where the standard of living is low, they come to Israel for them, it is paradise, they have nothing to lose, their life there is hard and they take the places of the original Israelis, keep going backward country, don't be left behind I am traveling by bus I tell myself you are the rally Together with a retarded government, you will go to hell

  5. cute cute but poisonous Beautiful pictures and thank you for the explanations, Amen, we will return to better days.

  6. Dear Motti, you always give us the feeling that we are in the depths of the sea with you
    Lovely photos and a very interesting article! well done !

  7. Hi Muti. In the picture of the scarlet: what is the name of the cancer? As far as I know - scarlet is the snail that lives in this shell... or am I wrong?

  8. Dear Muti I really enjoy reading your interesting and intelligent articles. Good luck and enjoy your blessed and wise work

  9. Hi, thank you for everything you share about the world of water, plants, fish, and coins, you write very fascinating and so enriches my knowledge, and that of the readers, thank you very much for the effort, it's fun to read and see..☠️

  10. Hi Muti
    Does the stinging nettle really burn as its name does? Burning for humans? If so, what can be done for those who touch it?
    Thanks

  11. Hi Muti, I thought I already knew everything about the underwater life……… but you continue to tell and teach every week anew….. and I realize that I know nothing.
    Keep diving, sending and teaching
    Thank you

  12. As far as I remember, I heard that the fishermen of Acre called him Nasrallah already in 2006.
    If I'm not mistaken !!

  13. I wouldn't call a living production stand named after this deranged terrorist.
    It perpetuates his memory.
    Just like I wouldn't call a dangerous predator Hitler.

    I recommend using the original name, which is beautiful in itself.

  14. The biases of the article enrich Rabbi Yeda. Not everyone knows the underwater world. And it's good to have you to open our eyes. Thanks

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