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A serial troublemaker: a rare fish in the sea in Haifa ► Watch

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In our daily dives on the coast of Israel, surprising scenarios sometimes occur: disturbing fish bite, marine invaders arrive and natural phenomena occur that we did not know existed. This time, the hero of the story is a rare fish, known by different names, but also called "glue" or by its scientific name Echeneis naucrates - "ruler of the seas".

The rare duo (Photo: Muti Mendelsohn)

What happens in the depths of the sea?

On Saturday 21/9/24, during my free diving in front of the southern breakwater of Bat Galim, I came across a swimmer with an unusual marine creature on her leg. She tried to detach it from her leg, but it was a stickleback, which is not only attached to different ecosystems, but also acts as a parasite - it feeds on the leftover food of other animals.

The rare duo (Photo: Muti Mendelsohn)

This fish, which is considered rare on the coast of Israel, clings to underwater animals such as sharks and fish such as kipon and stingrays. When the swimmer tried to get rid of him, she was in a storm and the yelling and panic created a little drama underwater.

Damage to Dakar due to Remora (Photo: Motty Mendelson)

In order to take pictures and record it, I had to swim by it quite quickly - but this fish is apparently not able to keep up at high speed, it got tired quickly and clung to my shirt.

Remora on top of Kipon (photo: Motty Mendelson)

The rare fish ► Watch

The scientific discovery

The photos of the fish were sent to Professor Bella Galil from the Nature Museum in Tel Aviv, who pointed out that it is an extremely rare fish, which has not been seen here for over thirty years. This discovery places the fish as an interesting fact in Israel's water world, and colleagues and researchers get the opportunity to learn about this special marine phenomenon.

Another pair on the head of a sea pincer (photo: Motty Mendelsohn)

Is there anything to worry about?

Although the stickleback can feel like a problem when swimming, it is not dangerous for bathers. It may cause a slight mark on the skin, but no more than that. In extreme cases, it may cause scales to be torn from other fish, but for humans - this is a relatively lovable creature.

Another pair on the head of a sea pincer (photo: Motty Mendelsohn)

In conclusion:

The stickleback is a reminder that the sea is full of a spectacular variety of life, and often unexpected phenomena are revealed. In the passage of time between the coasts, there is room for surprises and new discoveries. We will continue to swim, dive and deal with what the sea brings with it - hoping for more better days on the shores of the country.

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]

More articles from the same reporter

18 תגובות

  1. Our dear Moti. Thank you for another fascinating article. Thank you for continuing to reveal to us the wonders of the sea and all its creatures. In these troubled days, your wonderful articles and fascinating photographs are a balm for the soul. May we know better days at sea and on land, amen.

  2. Hello Moti. I wonder if this is the type of fish that made me stop swimming at Bat Galim beach. Already two years ago, a fish bit me while I was swimming, and literally ripped off a big sweet spot from my thigh. Although it saved me a visit to a dermatologist, it was serious bleeding and pain. The nice medic at the beach told me that about 7 people come to him every day who come out of the water bitten... and if it's the same fish, then it doesn't come up so new...

  3. Dear Muti! As usual, you publish interesting articles for us, this fish is quite amazing and the video I took of it really charmed me! I wish we had more marine discoveries like this and more fish would come here that researchers haven't seen for 30 years or more. straight power!

    • Thank you very much Jordan.
      It just shows that little by little the quality of the water in the sea is improving.
      And many animals already exist, yes, as well as guests.
      better times

    • hello green
      The question is whether what you saw is of the same species and not a regular remora, but many thanks for the reference. take care of yourself

  4. Moti, you are our Haifa Kirschenbaum, may you enjoy many more years, Amen.
    What photos wow wow.
    And what a discovery

  5. Muti Mendelsohn 🦈 is the sharkiest marine researcher there is! Extensively knowledgeable, smart, highly professional and most importantly a noble person loved by everyone!
    Blessings and success my friend

  6. The hermora/sticker is a fish that usually clings to sharks since there it is found as a parasite on many remains

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