The sea of Kythera is well known for its rich fauna and its very clear waters. Its bed is rocky and wild and reaches large depths. At a distance of 40-50 nautical miles to the West of Kythera we can find depths approaching 3000 and 4000 meters, while the largest depth of the Mediterranean Sea near the Southwestern of Cape Tenaro reaches approximately 4500 m. In combination with powerful winds, the strong sea currents do not favor the establishment of fish farming on the island's shores. The fish populating the Kytherean Sea are red mullet, pagrus, sea bream, blackfish, scorpion-fish, sparus hoop, whitebait, saddled bream, dorado, bass fish, parrot fish, pandora, perch, khan, lamper feel etc. The cephalopods which populate in the area are the octopus, cuttlefish, and squid. Crancroids found here are the lobster, crab and crayfish. Purpura is the most prevalent shell, known from the ancient times for the deep red dye that was extracted from it for dyeing cloths.
Sea Animals
The Monachus Monachus seal is a well-known type of seal which used to frequent the island’s shores, where many nests existed. Unfortunately very few live in the area today, not more than ten to fifteen. Sometimes dolphins are sighted in the Kytherian Sea, and a rarely even whales. The dolphins usually pass through the Cape Spathi area to the Dragonares isles, where they can find plenty of food. The Loggerhead Sea Turtle Caretta Caretta is an endangered reptile also found in the Kytherian Sea.
