Brit tourist warning as toxic pufferfish with lethal flesh and ‘amputation-causing bite’ seen by Europe holiday hotspot

A TOXIC pufferfish with an extremely dangerous bite and flesh that's lethal to consume is invading a holiday hotspot.

Scientists have raised the alarm over the northernmost sighting of the silver-cheeked toadfish – and say it's a “direct threat to tourism, especially in areas frequented by swimmers”.

It's an extremely poisonous type of pufferfish that's normally found in the tropical waters of the Indian and Pacific oceans.

But it has now invaded the Mediterranean Sea after making its way through the Suez Canal.

Now scientists have spotted it in the Medulin Bay off the coast of Croatia – a holiday hotspot for Brits – and have issued a serious warning.

“This invasive species is known for its aggressive behaviour,” said study co-author Dr Neven IveÅ¡a.

“With reported cases of bites causing significant injuries.

“Alarmingly, recent evidence from the southern and eastern Mediterranean shows that these bites can result in severe injuries, such as partial amputation of fingers.”

In May last year, researchers caught a 52cm long male weighing just over a kilo at around 65 feet below sea level.

It's the fourth recorded catch in the Adriatic, and the northernmost so far.

Scientists say that the dangerous fish poses a threat to local marine life, fisheries, and “public safety”.

Aside from its dangerous bite, the fish is also a risk due to its flesh and organs.

They contain a potent neurotoxin called tetrodotoxin, which can be lethal if consumed.

It's now increasingly common in fishing catches in the Mediterranean's coastal regions.

And scientists warn that the fish is spreading “aggressively” since its first sighting in 2003.

“The presence of Lagocephalus sceleratus in the northern Adriatic is a clear warning sign of the species' expanding range and potential ecological and economic consequences,” said Dr IveÅ¡a, of the Croatia's Juraj Dobrila University.

“Proactive monitoring and management strategies are important to mitigating its impact on local marine biodiversity, fisheries, and public safety.”

The first sighting of the fish in the Adriatic was in October 2012, on the northern side of Croatia's Jakljan Island.

It has since been seen a number of times, but the 2024 catch was the most notherly.

And the fish has a powerful bite that can put tourists at risk.

“Although such cases are rare, they highlight the potential danger this species poses to humans,” said Dr IveÅ¡a.

“These risks not only create safety concerns for swimmers, but also threaten the image and appeal of tourist detistinations.

“Potentially leading to economic losses in local tourism and related industries.”

Scientists are now recommending the “targeted removal” of the species during its spawning period.

And they say it's important to warn the public about the fish, and get them on board with reporting sightings.

The research was published in Acta Ichthyologica et Piscatoria.