First record of the Indo-West Pacific spotted scat Scatophagus argus (Acanthuriformes, Scatophagidae) from the Canary Islands (East-Central Atlantic)

Abstract

The Indo-West Pacific spotted scat Scatophagus argus (Acanthuriformes, Scatophagidae) is reported for the first time in the Canary Islands (eastern-central Atlantic). This record is based on the sighting of an individual in 2017, which was photographed swimming in shallow waters off the north- eastern coast of Gran Canaria, along a route with heavy maritime traffic. In addition to ballast water and organisms transported by oil platforms, the specimen may have been released from an aquarium. No further sightings or captures of this species have been recorded.