About
It can pinch if handled carelessly with a bare hand - observe it from a distance and leave it in its hiding spot.
A common shore crab that hides among rocks and mussel beds in shallow water. Recognisable by the five-pointed outline of its shell and its quick sideways scuttle when disturbed.
Photos
Decorator Crab
Maja crispata
May - September
Occasional
Black Scorpionfish
Scorpaena porcus
Also known as: Μαύρη Σκορπίνα, Scorpaena, Black Scorpionfish
All year round. In summer they are more in shallow waters.
Very Common
Felimare picta (Regal Sea Goddess)
Felimare picta
Also known as: Regal Sea Goddess
Rare
Black Goby
Gobius niger
April - October
Common
Bucchich's Goby
Gobius bucchichi
Also known as: Γωβιός, Bucchich's Goby, Γκιόζος
All year round, more active in summer
Very Common
Two-Banded Seabream
Diplodus vulgaris
April - October
Common
European Anchovy
Engraulis encrasicolus
June - September
Common
Compass Jellyfish
Chrysaora hysoscella
April - September
Occasional
Mediterranean Mussel
Mytilus galloprovincialis
All year round
Very Common
Peacock Wrasse
Symphodus tinca
All year round, more active May - October
Very Common
Common Pandora
Pagellus erythrinus
May - October
Occasional
Mediterranean Parrotfish
Sparisoma cretense
May - October
Occasional
Flathead Grey Mullet
Mugil cephalus
All year round
Very Common
Mediterranean Hermit Crab
Clibanarius erythropus
Also known as: Κλειτσινάρι, Παγούρι
April - October
Very Common
Striped Red Mullet
Mullus barbatus / Mullus surmuletus
Also known as: Κουτσομούρα, Μπάρμπουνος, Μπαρμπουνάκι
May - October - that's when they are in shallow waters and you can see the small schools
Very Common
Annular Seabream
Diplodus annularis
April - October
Very Common
Wide-eyed Flounder
Bothus podas
Also known as: Γλώσσα, Πλατύ, Wide-eyed Flounder
All year round
Very Common
Fried Egg Jellyfish
Cotylorhiza tuberculata
Also known as: Τηγανητό Αυγό, Μεσογειακή Μέδουσα
June - October
Very Common
Picarel
Spicara smaris
May - September
Common
Garfish
Belone belone
May - September
Common
Mediterranean Damselfish
Chromis chromis
Also known as: Χρωμίδα, Καλογριά, Καλογρίτσα
May - October
Very Common
Noble Pen Shell
Pinna nobilis
Rare
Long-snouted Seahorse
Hippocampus guttulatus
Spring - Autumn
Rare
Silver-Cheeked Toadfish
Lagocephalus sceleratus
June - October
Rare
Gilthead Seabream
Sparus aurata
April - October
Very Common
Flying Gurnard
Dactylopterus volitans
Also known as: Καπόνι, Χελιδόνα, Flying Gurnard
May - October, peak July-August
Common
Pillow Coral
Cladocora caespitosa
Also known as: Pillow coral, Μαξιλαράκι της θάλασσας, Cladocora
All year round, best seen in summer with clear waters
Common
Saddled Seabream
Oblada melanura
April - November
Very Common
Common Stingray
Dasyatis pastinaca
May - October
Rare
Snakelocks Sea Anemone
Anemonia viridis
All year round
Very Common
White Seabream
Diplodus sargus
April - October
Common
Sea Stars
Echinaster sepositus
All year round
Occasional
Greater Amberjack
Seriola dumerili
Also known as: Τούνα (καταχρηστικά), Ricciola, Lecha
July - September (juveniles in shallow waters)
Common
Mediterranean Horse Mackerel
Trachurus mediterraneus
June - October
Common
Mediterranean Rainbow Wrasse
Coris julis
Also known as: Γαϊτανούρι, Λεμοναριά
All year round
Very Common
Common Sole
Solea solea
April - November
Occasional
Short-Snouted Seahorse
Hippocampus hippocampus
May - September
Rare
Red Scorpionfish
Scorpaena scrofa
All year round
Rare
Sea Cucumber (Holothuria tubulosa)
Holothuria tubulosa
Also known as: Θαλάσσιο Αγγούρι
Occasional
Sea Hare
Aplysia fasciata
Also known as: Κρασάς, Γυμνοσάλιαγκας της Θάλασσας
May - October
Occasional
Brown Meagre
Sciaena umbra
June - September
Rare
Bogue
Boops boops
May - October
Very Common
Mediterranean Moray Eel
Muraena helena
All year round
Occasional
Nomad Jellyfish
Rhopilema nomadica
Also known as: Nomad jellyfish
July - October
Occasional
Common Cuttlefish
Sepia officinalis
March - May
Occasional
Barrel Jellyfish
Rhizostoma pulmo
Also known as: Μέδουσα Βαρέλι
May - October
Common
European Pilchard
Sardina pilchardus
June - September
Common
Purple Sea Urchin
Paracentrotus lividus
All year round
Very Common
Greater Weever
Trachinus draco
May - September
Common
Salema Porgy
Sarpa salpa
May - September
Common
Common Octopus
Octopus vulgaris
Also known as: Οχταπόδι
All year round, easier during the summer months
Common
European Seabass
Dicentrarchus labrax
May - November
Occasional
Black Seabream
Spondyliosoma cantharus
April - October
Common
Dusky Grouper
Epinephelus marginatus
June - September
Rare
Giant Salp
Salpa maxima
Also known as: Πελαγικό Χορδωτό
March - August
Rare
Sand Steenbras
Lithognathus mormyrus
May - October
Very Common
Sand Smelt
Atherina hepsetus
April - October
Very Common