Malta’s marine biodiversity has just grown richer with the addition of a dazzling new resident – the diamond lizardfish (Synodus synodus), also known as the redbarret lizardfish.
The discovery, just published in a scientific paper, marks the third new fish species recorded in Maltese waters over the past year thanks to the Spot the Alien Fish citizen science campaign.
Speaking about the find, leading marine biologist Prof. Alan Deidun said:
“The diamond lizardfish is a fantastic addition to Malta’s marine records. This is a perfect example of how citizen science really works – thanks to the vigilance of locals and divers, we’re continuing to document new species in our waters. In this case, the credit goes to fisher Melchiorre Camilleri and SCUBA diver Edmond Cuschieri for providing the crucial records that made this possible.”
The diamond lizardfish now joins the diamond pufferfish (Lagocephalus guentheri) and the wahoo (Acanthocybium solandri) as the latest alien species confirmed locally.
Prof. Deidun stressed the importance of such finds, explaining that each new record helps scientists track changes in Malta’s underwater ecosystems – a process that is becoming increasingly important as climate change and shifting sea temperatures bring new marine visitors to our shores.
The Spot the Alien Fish campaign encourages fishers, divers, and the general public to report unusual species spotted in Maltese waters, contributing directly to research efforts.