Photos and behavior
Every fish now has a photo, description, habitat notes, and a simple story.
Fish guide
Fish species
Explore fish in Cyprus: search by species or method, filter by water and difficulty, then open the detailed fishing guide.
8 danger species
Venomous, toxic, and genuinely risky accidental catches are separated.
3 do-not-eat species
Species like silver-cheeked toadfish and non-target tiny fish are marked separately; check handling and rules for others.
What does difficulty mean?
It is not fish size or danger. It means how hard it is to consistently find, trigger, and catch the species in real Cyprus conditions.
Easy
Beginner-friendly: simple tackle, clear bites, and less demand for perfect presentation.
Gear
Float rod, feeder, or simple bottom rig; small set of hooks, weights, and bait.
Weather
Best with wind under 18 km/h, moderate UV, and low rain chance.
Medium
Requires reading the spot: depth, wind, cover, fish activity, and retrieve speed.
Gear
Bring 2-3 methods, spare leaders, different weights/lures, and unhooking tools.
Weather
Wind at 18-28 km/h affects casting; watch gusts, pressure, and swell.
Hard
Hard to catch consistently: the species may be rare, local, seasonal, depth-sensitive, weather-sensitive, or active only in short windows.
Gear
Tackle depends on method and spot. Having options, patience, and spot-reading matters more than one 'correct' rig.
Weather
Watch activity windows: wind, pressure, clarity, water level, current, and light can matter more than the lure.
View mode
Danger species are separated: venomous, toxic, or potentially risky accidental catches.
Smart filters
Found: 51
Place
Water type
Fish
Difficulty
Not venomousGood target
SeaHard
Amberjack
Seriola dumerili
Amberjack is a strong active sea predator, often from a boat. You need to find fish and control the tackle well.
summer-autumn
1 spots
edible when handled correctly
Predatorboat fishingspinningjigging
Not venomousLicense required
FreshwaterHard
Asp
Leuciscus aspius
Asp appears in the older DFMR general reservoir species list, but the 2026 per-dam table does not assign it to a specific location. It stays as a rare reference species for now.
spring-autumn
0 spots
edible when handled correctly
Predatorspinningsmall spoonsfast retrieve
Sharp teethGood target
SeaHard
Barracuda
Sphyraena sphyraena / Sphyraena viridensis
Barracuda is a fast coastal predator with very sharp teeth. It is not venomous, but dangerous when unhooking.
summer-autumn
3 spots
edible when handled correctly
Predatorspinningluresjerkbaits
Not venomousLicense required
FreshwaterEasy
Bleak
Alburnus alburnus
Bleak is a small schooling fish near the surface. It is not a trophy target, but it helps beginners learn bites and light tackle.
spring-autumn
8 spots
edible when handled correctly
Peacefulfloat fishingultralight tackleanimal baitvegetable bait
Sharp teethGood target
SeaHard
Bluefish
Pomatomus saltatrix
Bluefish is a fast toothy predator. It is exciting on spinning tackle but needs careful unhooking.
summer-autumn
2 spots
edible when handled correctly
Predatorspinninglures
Not venomousLicense required
FreshwaterMedium
Carp
Cyprinus carpio
Carp is a strong peaceful fish for bottom fishing. It is beginner-friendly because the rig is simple and bites are usually clear.
all year, best spring/autumn
22 spots
edible when handled correctly
Peacefulfeederbottom fishingmethod feederanimal baitvegetable bait
Not venomousLicense required
FreshwaterHard
Channel Catfish
Ictalurus punctatus
Channel catfish needs patience, a bottom spot, and reliable tackle. It is usually not a quick random-bite target.
May-October
12 spots
edible when handled correctly
Predatorbottom fishingheavy feederanimal bait
Sharp teethCare when unhooking
SeaHard
Conger Eel
Conger conger
Conger eel is often accidental on bottom rigs around rocks. It is strong, but not a typical casual target.
all year
1 spots
edible when handled correctly
Predatorbottom fishinganimal bait
Not venomousCheck rules
FreshwaterHard
Crayfish
Decapoda spp.
Crayfish appear in official lists for some reservoirs, but they are not a main recreational angling target here. Treat them as ecosystem context and do not keep them without checking rules.
all year
7 spots
do not eat
Peacefulusually not a target speciesavoid
Not venomousLicense required
FreshwaterEasy
Crucian Carp
Carassius carassius
Crucian carp is a hardy peaceful fish for float fishing and light feeder work. It is a good target for a calm bank session.
April-October
0 spots
edible when handled correctly
Peacefulfloat fishinglight feederanimal baitvegetable bait
Not venomousGood target
SeaMedium
Dorado
Sparus aurata
Dorado is often searched around rocks, weed, sandy gaps, and harbour edges. It is a strong sea target for careful bottom or feeder fishing.
summer-autumn
3 spots
edible when handled correctly
Peacefulbottom fishingfeederspinning
Not venomousGood target
SeaMedium
Flounder
Platichthys flesus
Flounder is a bottom fish found on sand and mixed ground. The difficulty is mostly choosing the right place and time.
winter-spring
1 spots
edible when handled correctly
Peacefulbottom fishing
Not venomousGood target
SeaMedium
Flute Fish
Fistularia commersonii
Flute fish, or cornetfish, is a long thin coastal predator that often attacks small lures near shore.
summer-autumn
1 spots
edible when handled correctly
Predatorspinninglures
Not venomousGood target
SeaMedium
Garfish
Belone belone
Garfish is a long, fast surface fish. It is fun on light lures or float rigs.
spring-autumn
3 spots
edible when handled correctly
Predatorfloat fishingspinning
Not venomousLicense required
FreshwaterMedium
Goldfish
Carassius auratus
Goldfish can appear as a peaceful float or bottom-fishing species. Treat it as careful light coarse fishing.
spring-autumn
2 spots
edible when handled correctly
Peacefulfloat fishingbottom fishinganimal baitvegetable bait
Venomous spinesBetter avoid
SeaHard
Greater Weever
Trachinus draco
Greater weever is an important danger species for shore anglers. It has venomous spines and can bury in sand.
summer
1 spots
edible when handled correctly
Predatoravoid handlingshore casting
Not venomousGood target
SeaHard
Grouper
Epinephelus marginatus
Grouper holds around rocks and cover. It is hard because of structure, snags, and fewer clear feeding windows.
spring-autumn
1 spots
edible when handled correctly
Predatorbottom fishingjigging
Not venomousGood target
SeaEasy
Horse Mackerel
Trachurus trachurus
Horse mackerel often moves in schools and follows baitfish. It is a good target for active light sea fishing.
summer-autumn
2 spots
edible when handled correctly
Predatorspinningsabiki
Not venomousLicense required
FreshwaterMedium
Largemouth Bass
Micropterus salmoides
A key reservoir predator for Cyprus spinning anglers. Bass loves cover, weed edges, rocks, and sharp depth changes.
March-June, September-November
17 spots
edible when handled correctly
Predatorspinningwobblerssoft plasticstopwater luresnear cover
Not venomousGood target
SeaHard
Leerfish
Lichia amia
Leerfish is a powerful sea predator usually searched with active spinning. The main challenge is finding feeding windows.
summer-autumn
1 spots
edible when handled correctly
Predatorspinninglures
Venomous spinesCare when unhooking
SeaHard
Lionfish
Pterois miles
Lionfish is an invasive marine fish with venomous spines. The flesh is edible, but only after safe handling.
all year
1 spots
edible when handled correctly
Predatorspearfishingdo not handle barehanded
Not venomousGood target
SeaHard
Little Tunny
Euthynnus alletteratus
Little tunny is a fast pelagic fish. The challenge is finding activity and reacting to short feeding windows.
summer-autumn
1 spots
edible when handled correctly
Predatorspinningtrolling
Not venomousGood target
SeaMedium
Mackerel
Scomber scombrus
Mackerel is an active schooling fish. Success is more about finding movement, current, and baitfish than heavy tackle.
summer-autumn
1 spots
edible when handled correctly
Predatorspinningsabikitrolling
Not venomousGood target
SeaHard
Mahi-Mahi
Coryphaena hippurus
Mahi-mahi is mostly connected with boat fishing and trolling. It is exciting, but not a basic shore target.
summer-autumn
1 spots
edible when handled correctly
Predatorboat fishingtrolling
Sharp teethCare when unhooking
SeaHard
Moray Eel
Muraena helena
Moray eel is usually not a beginner target. It can be accidental bycatch around rocks, for example while fishing for grouper, so be prepared.
all year
1 spots
edible when handled correctly
Predatorbottom fishinganimal bait
Not venomousCheck rules
FreshwaterEasy
Mosquitofish
Gambusia affinis
Mosquitofish occurs in some reservoirs, but it is usually not an angling target and is not a danger species.
all year
22 spots
do not eat
Peacefulavoidusually not a target species
Not venomousGood target
SeaEasy
Mullet
Mugil cephalus
Mullet is often visible near the surface in harbours, lagoons, and calm shores. It requires delicate tackle.
all year
3 spots
edible when handled correctly
Peacefulfloat fishinglight feederbread bait
Not venomousCheck rules
SeaMedium
Octopus
Octopus vulgaris
Octopus can appear around rocks and harbour areas, but rules and methods should be checked separately.
all year
1 spots
edible when handled correctly
Predatorbottom fishingtraps
Not venomousLicense required
FreshwaterHard
Perch
Perca fluviatilis
Perch is local and not present in every Cyprus reservoir. It is hard because finding it is the challenge, not because it is dangerous.
spring-autumn
1 spots
edible when handled correctly
Predatorultralight spinningsmall spoonssoft plastics
Not venomousLicense required
FreshwaterHard
Pike
Esox lucius
Pike is listed by DFMR 2026 for several reservoirs, but it remains a local and demanding predator. Catching it is more about finding activity windows than fish danger.
autumn-spring
3 spots
edible when handled correctly
Predatorspinningwobblerssoft plasticsnear cover
Not venomousLicense required
FreshwaterEasy
Pumpkinseed
Lepomis gibbosus
Pumpkinseed is active in warm water and often sits around weed or rocks. It usually responds to simple light tackle.
May-September
14 spots
edible when handled correctly
Peacefulfloat fishinglight tackleanimal bait
Venomous spinesCare when unhooking
SeaMedium
Rabbitfish
Siganus luridus
Rabbitfish/spinefoot is a herbivorous marine fish with venomous fin spines. It is common in the eastern Mediterranean.
summer
1 spots
edible when handled correctly
Peacefulfloat fishingvegetable bait
Not venomousGood target
SeaEasy
Red Mullet
Mullus barbatus
Red mullet stays near the bottom over sand and mixed rock. It usually takes neat bottom rigs with natural bait.
summer-autumn
2 spots
edible when handled correctly
Peacefulbottom fishing
Not venomousGood target
SeaMedium
Red Porgy
Pagrus pagrus
Red porgy is more connected with boat and bottom fishing. For beginners it is more a future target than a first shore species.
spring-autumn
0 spots
edible when handled correctly
Peacefulboat fishingbottom fishing
Not venomousLicense required
FreshwaterEasy
Roach
Rutilus rutilus
Roach is a small schooling fish for light float tackle and feeder fishing. It is excellent for accuracy practice.
all year
20 spots
edible when handled correctly
Peacefulfloat fishinglight tackleanimal baitvegetable bait
Not venomousGood target
SeaEasy
Salema Porgy
Sarpa salpa
Salema porgy stays around rocks and weed and often grazes on vegetation. It suits light shore fishing without over-heavy tackle.
spring-autumn
2 spots
edible when handled correctly
Peacefulfloat fishingbottom fishing
Venomous spinesCare when unhooking
SeaHard
Scorpionfish
Scorpaena scrofa
Scorpionfish is a camouflaged bottom fish with venomous spines. It often sits among rocks and looks like part of the bottom.
all year
1 spots
edible when handled correctly
Predatorrock fishingbottom fishing
Not venomousGood target
SeaMedium
Sea Bass
Dicentrarchus labrax
Sea bass is a cautious coastal predator often found in surf, rocks, breakwaters, and harbour entrances.
autumn, winter
2 spots
edible when handled correctly
Predatorspinningshore castingbottom fishing
Not venomousGood target
SeaEasy
Sea Bream
Sparus aurata
Gilt-head bream is a popular shore bottom-fishing target. It is strong, cautious, and highly valued as food.
summer
2 spots
edible when handled correctly
Peacefulbottom fishingfeedershore casting
Not venomousLicense required
FreshwaterMedium
Silver Bream
Blicca bjoerkna
Silver bream moves in groups and often feeds near the bottom. The challenge is choosing the spot, depth, and a clean bait presentation.
spring-autumn
3 spots
edible when handled correctly
Peacefulfeederbottom fishinganimal baitvegetable bait
Toxic fleshBetter avoid
SeaHard
Silver-cheeked Toadfish
Lagocephalus sceleratus
Silver-cheeked toadfish is a dangerous invasive pufferfish. Do not eat it: tissues may contain a powerful toxin.
all year
1 spots
do not eat
Predatoravoiddo not eat
Not venomousGood target
SeaHard
Snapper
Lutjanus spp.
Snapper needs a good spot, depth, and presentation. It is usually a boat or advanced bottom/jigging target.
summer-autumn
0 spots
edible when handled correctly
Predatorboat fishingbottom fishingjigging
Not venomousGood target
SeaMedium
Squid
Loligo vulgaris
Squid uses a separate eging technique and often fishes better in low light. Light, depth, and smooth retrieves matter.
autumn-winter
1 spots
edible when handled correctly
Predatoreginglures
Venomous spinesCare when unhooking
SeaHard
Stingray
Dasyatis pastinaca
Stingray can be accidental bottom bycatch. The main risk is the tail spine, so it is a careful-release species, not a beginner target.
all year
1 spots
edible when handled correctly
Peacefulbottom fishing
Not venomousCheck rules
FreshwaterHard
Sturgeon
Acipenser spp.
Sturgeon is rare in Cyprus reservoirs, so the difficulty is mostly rarity and the need to check rules carefully.
all year, rare
1 spots
edible when handled correctly
Peacefulbottom fishingheavy feederanimal bait
Not venomousCheck rules
SeaHard
Swordfish
Xiphias gladius
Swordfish is an offshore boat species with rules and preparation. It is a reference species, not a normal shore-session target.
summer
1 spots
edible when handled correctly
Predatorboat fishingtrolling
Not venomousLicense required
FreshwaterMedium
Tench
Tinca tinca
Tench likes warm water, quiet banks, and softer bottom. It rewards patience because noise and crude rigs often hurt results.
summer
0 spots
edible when handled correctly
Peacefulbottom fishingfloat fishinganimal baitvegetable bait
Not venomousLicense required
FreshwaterEasy
Tilapia
Oreochromis niloticus
Tilapia is active in warm water and works well for simple float fishing. It often moves in groups.
May-October
9 spots
edible when handled correctly
Peacefulfloat fishinglight feedervegetable bait
Not venomousLicense required
FreshwaterMedium
Trout
Oncorhynchus mykiss / Salmo trutta
Trout is tied to cooler water and seasonal windows. Fish small lures carefully and do not expect it in every reservoir.
winter-spring
9 spots
edible when handled correctly
Predatorspinningsmall wobblerssmall spoons
Not venomousCheck rules
SeaHard
Tuna
Thunnus thynnus / Thunnus alalunga
Tuna is a powerful offshore fish for boats, trolling, and heavy tackle. It is not a beginner shore target.
summer
1 spots
edible when handled correctly
Predatorboat fishingtrolling
Not venomousLicense required
FreshwaterHard
Zander
Sander lucioperca
Zander often stays deeper and feeds in short windows. The challenge is finding depth, timing, and the right retrieve.
autumn-spring
6 spots
edible when handled correctly
Predatorjiggingspinningdeep fishing