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Invasive Toadfish Population Boom Spreads Through Greek Waters

Tuesday, 23 June 2026/Source: Flashnews/1 min read

The silver-cheeked toadfish (lagocephalos), an invasive species originally from the Indo-Pacific, has been spreading through Greek waters including Crete for several years. According to WWF Greece's fisheries expert Michalis Margaritis, the fish is not new to Greek seas, but its population has grown noticeably. The main risk concerns local fishermen, as the fish is highly toxic if consumed and can damage fishing nets. For tourists swimming or snorkeling around Crete, direct danger is low, as the fish does not typically attack humans. However, visitors should never eat pufferfish purchased informally or caught recreationally, as its organs contain tetrodotoxin, a potent poison with no antidote. If you see one while swimming, observe from a distance and do not handle it. Greek authorities offer a bounty to fishermen who catch and report the species as part of population control efforts.

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