Why fish are biting swimmers more this summer in Croatian sea

Have you been bitten by a fish in the Croatian sea this summer? It’s not unusual.

This summer, there have been several instances of “attacks” by saddled seabream on swimmers. While some bites can be stronger and may even leave scars, there’s no need to worry—this is a normal occurrence.

Ivica, who was playing with his children in the shallow water, felt the bites.

“The fish started gently nibbling at my heel. At first, it was just light bites that didn’t bother me much, but then they got more aggressive and eventually managed to tear a piece of skin off my leg,” Ivica told Dnevnik.hr.

This happened right where he had scars, which these fish seem to be particularly attracted to.

“At this warmer time of year, their metabolism speeds up, and they start seeking additional food sources. One of these is removing parasites from larger fish or mammals, so people actually become quite suitable for them. They see moles, warts, and wounds, and when they spot a wound, that’s the most tempting for them to nibble on,” says fish expert Pero Ugarković.

There’s no need to be afraid. These fish are permanent residents of the Mediterranean and Adriatic, a species accustomed to people and swimmers, and they’re not dangerous.

“They dart in, and unlike fish with teeth like the gilthead bream, they don’t have the same kind of teeth. They just bump into you and take a tiny nibble of skin, which is quite harmless. I would recommend that people with open wounds avoid entering the sea, for their own sake,” explains Velimir Vrzić, a diver and underwater researcher.

Saddled bream are silvery-grey fish with a black ring at the base of their tail. They are a common catch for fishermen.

Saddled seabream -Oblada melanura (Photo credit: Alberto Romeo/CC BY 3.0)

Lidija is familiar with them and knows all their secrets.

“The saddled bream is a current fish, caught at night and in currents. We prepare it grilled or boiled, but it needs to be nice, large pieces, and there are plenty of them—you just need patience and persistence,” said Lidija Vidas, an angler from the Tunera Fishing Club in Jadranovo.

Swimmers are also familiar with bites from other small fish in the sea. The message is clear—protect the Adriatic, as warming waters are gradually making it home to new, more dangerous species that we’re not accustomed to.