The presence of the Diadema setosum sea urchin and the invasive alien pterois miles (devil firefish, commonly known lionfish) have been pinpointed around the island of Rhodes. Both these species originating in the Red Sea, made their way to the Mediterranean via the Suez Canal. The hydrobiological station of Rhodes has documented their presence in the sea region and has warned professional fishermen and the public at large of the presence of these creatures so as to prevent accidents.

The creatures were first noticed via research by the “Yellow Submarine” Glass Bottom Boat and the “Waterhoppers” Diving School in summer 2015. These two groups immediately reported the presence of these sea creatures to the island’s hydrobiological station.People who manage to catch a pterois miles are advised to keep it in the deep freeze so that marine biologists can further study the species in Greece.