Fish species

The Venice Lagoon and the project area are important areas for fish fauna. The Mediterranean killifish (Aphanius fasciatus), the Adriatic lagoon goby (Knipowitschia panizzae) and, above all, the black-spotted goby (Ninnigobius canestrinii) are some of the most typical species associated with these environments. Transitional water habitats also represent a nursery area for juveniles of marine migrant species, such as the European flounder (Platichthys flesus) and mullets of the genera Mugil and Chelon.

Black-spotted goby (also known as Canestrini’s goby)- Pomatoschistus canestrinii

Species included in Annex II of Dir. 92/43/CEE. Endemic species to the Northern Adriac Sea, it is typically found in brackish areas of lagoons and estuaries during all its life cycle. In the Venice Lagoon, its presence depends on freshwater inputs. The colour pattern is greyish to yellowish, with numerous scattered, tiny, intense black spots on the body and head. It has benthic habits and feeds on small crustaceans, polychaetes, molluscs and larvae of insects. Photo by Luca Scapin.

European Flounder – Platichthys flesus

It is a marine migrant species tolerant to salinity variations, which penetrates coastal lagoons and gathers on sandy and muddy bottoms in shallow waters as juvenile. Very common in the Northern Adriatic Sea. It is a flatfish, carrying both eyes on the right-hand side of the body. The body, dark above and white below, is oval and much flattened. It feeds on benthic macroinvertebrates, in particular crustaceans and worms, and small fishes. Photo by DAIS-UNIVE.

Mullets (Mugil cephalus, Chelon spp.)

Mullets are marine migrant species, tolerating wide variations of salinity. They can be found in lagoon and estuarine environments, in particular during the juvenile phases. They feed on microalgae, decaying organic debris and small invertebrates. In the Venice Lagoon there are five species of mullets: Mugil cephalus, Chelon auratus, Chelon labrosus, Chelon ramada and Chelon saliens. Photo by Simone Redolfi Bristol.