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'Ugly' toxic fish that can bite through human bone invades major tourist hotspot

An invasive species of fish is causing chaos on the economy of a beautiful holiday hotspot popular among Brits as their deadly venom and powerful jaws have locals spooked

[A silver-cheeked toadfish placed on the ground after being caught by fishermen]

The ugly fish is wrecking havoc on one Greek island(Image: undefined/INTIME NEWS via AP)

A hideous breed of poisonous fish bearing bone-crushing teeth is wreaking havoc on a scenic holiday hotspot in the Mediterranean.

The silver-cheeked toadfish is an incredibly dangerous pufferfish traditionally found in the Indian and the Pacific Ocean. The terrible toadfish possess toxic so deadly marine biologists warn against touching them even with gloves.

The animal's venom is so strong that even slight contact with bare skin can trigger sickness and respiratory issues. Despite originating from the Pacific and the Indian Ocean the species is picking up an increased presence in Mediterranean waters. The invasive species has begun to wreck havoc on the livelihoods of fishermen on the Greek island of Crete.

[A silver-cheeked toadfish]

The species of fish is incredibly dangerous(Image: BOUGIOTIS EVANGELOS/EPA/Shutterstock)

Fears have also been stirred by fake AI videos exaggerating the depth of the Toadfish issue depicting the animals chomping on wood and cola cans. Despite the videos the animals are having a serious effect on the people on the island and the wider Greek economy.

Self-employed fishermen on the island are now losing up to 30% of their income for the year. The invasive toadfish have begun to raid their nets and are costing vessels up to 20,000 euros a year. The losses arent just due to lost catches but also the high cost of repairing ripped nets.

The ugly venomous beasts are disrupting the Mediterraneans fragile ecosystem and have forced the Greek government to act against them. The government is now rewarding fishermen up to 5.33 euros per kilo (about 2 per lb) to catch the creatures.

[A silver-cheeked toadfish]

The invasive species have jaws that can bite through human bone(Image: BOUGIOTIS EVANGELOS/EPA/Shutterstock)

Cretan fisherman Giorgos Kyriakak has pulled back the lid on just how much the invasive toadfish have affected business on the island. Kyriakak stated: "Its got to the point where we might go out fishing one day and then spend the next three days fixing our nets.

It is understood that the toadfish population in the med will keep growing according to experts. The grotesque guppies grow up to 4ft long and weigh 20lbs. But now they have been reported growing much bigger in the Med than in their native waters in the Indian and Pacific Ocean.

The size increase is due to the Mediterranean sea being colder than their traditional home. This means they need less oxygen to maintain energy levels or to grow even bigger. The Hellenic Centre for Marine Research (HCMR) has urged calm over the invasive silver-cheeked toadfish issue.

The Marine Research body stated: In general, to our fellow citizens, and to those who go to the sea or fish amateurishly this summer, we recommend calmness and caution.

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