A rainbow runner fish, also known as the Hawaiian salmon, has been recorded in Maltese waters for the first time. Marine biologist and University of Malta professor Alan Deidun shared a video of this rare sighting on social media, showing the fish swimming near traditional Maltese boats.
The fish was spotted by citizen scientist Luke Meilak in Gozo. While the rainbow runner is typically found in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, it has occasionally been seen in the Mediterranean.
Deidun noted that although the species had previously been recorded in southern Italy, this is its first appearance in Malta.
Deidun attributed the presence of the rainbow runner to rising Mediterranean temperatures and increased shipping activity through the Suez Canal. The sighting was part of the Spot the Alien citizen science campaign, which launched in 2019 to track non-indigenous species in Maltese waters.
Deidun also pointed out that the recording of new species in the region is becoming more frequent, with around ten new species documented each year.
He had previously suggested that rising sea temperatures could explain recent unusual sightings, such as the monk seal, in Maltese waters.
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