Pelasgus thesproticus
The Mediterranean banded killifish (Aphanius fasciatus) lives in brackish waters, with light flow and shallow depth, where the aquatic vegetation provides cover and food, which consists of aquatic invertebrates. It is a fast swimmer and forms flocks. Its special feature is that during the breeding season, glands appear in its body that give it a bitter taste, protecting it from its predators.
Regarding the protection status of the species, at an international level it is classified as “Critically Endangered” included in the related species Aphanius fasciatus. According to Directive 92/43 EEC for the conservation of natural habitats as well as wild fauna and flora (with subsequent amendments) it is classified in Appendix II, being a priority species for protection. Its need for clean flowing brackish water greatly limits the available habitats it can live in which are lagoons and brackish springs. Since it is now recorded only at this location, a condition for the lagoon to continue to “host” this globally unique resident is to maintain the existing wetland condition.
Activities that may shrink the size of the lagoon, reduce the supply of the source or pollute the waters will probably result in the permanent disappearance of this fish from the last area it has found refuge.
