stridens, from the Eastern Mediterranean Sea

With respect to alien species introduc-tions throughout the Mediterranean, Turkey is one of the most influenced countries due to its proximity to the Suez Canal and the dense maritime traffic occurring along its coastline (CINAR et al., 2005). From a to-tal of 125 alien fish hitherto reported from the Mediterranean (ZENETOS et al., 2008), 49 are currently known from the Anatolian coast, the majority of which have established successful breeding populations (BILECENOGLU, 2009). The authors have recently collected two additional species, the saddled snake eel [Pisodonophis semicinctus (Ophichthidae)] and the striped piggy [Pomadasys stridens (Haemulidae)], previously unknown in Turkey (Figs 1, 2). Specimens were fixed in 4 % formalin and kept in the zoological col-lection of Adnan Menderes University. One specimen of saddled snake eel (86 cm in total length) was captured from Ek-incik Bay, Mugla (36Æ49 ' N- 28Æ 33 ' E) on 16 June 2009, by a longline (baited with cuttlefish) at a depth of 18 m during the night (23:00 hrs). The description of the specimen examined is as follows: body elon-gated and almost cylindrical. Anterior nos-trils tubular, located at the front sides of the snout, projecting downwards. Posterior nos-trils as small openings on upper lip, covered by a flap. Dorsal and anal fins developed, but not confluent. Caudal fin absent, tip of tail hard and pointed. Predorsal length 8.4, New data on the occurrence of two alien fishes, Pisodonophis semicinctus and Pomadasy