First record of the Rubber-lip grunt Plectorhinchus mediterraneus (Guichenot 1850) (Osteichthyes: Haemulidae) in Tunisian waters (Central Mediterranean)

Abstract

We register here the first record of the Rubber-lip grunt Plectorhinchus mediterraneus (Guichenot 1850) (family: Haemulidae) in central Tunisian water. This thermophilic Atlanto-Mediterranean species, occurring mainly in the Eastern tropical Atlantic and recorded also in the west Mediterranean basin and in the Adriatic Sea was found for the first time in the central east coast of Tunisia (Salakta). The two specimen captured, both adult male measuring respectively 36 and 42 cm total length, was taken with gillnet in April 2011. The present paper reports this new record which might indicate a recent establishment in the area. Furthermore it gives a short description of the specimens and comments on its distribution in the Mediterranean Sea.