Red Lionfish

Photo: Selim Türeli · CC BY

The Miles lionfish — an Indian Ocean species that has established a permanent invasive population in the eastern Mediterranean — is reliably found inside the wreck at English Harbour, where its ambush hunting style suits the confined spaces of the hull interior. Their spectacular fan-like pectoral fins and venomous dorsal spines make them striking subjects that divers must treat with respect. Their presence on Turkish wrecks is an escalating ecological concern as they impact native reef fish populations.