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  • Sunset over the rocks on Porthselau Beach looking towards St David's Head, Pembrokeshire, Wales
    145684.jpg
  • Sunset over the rocks on Porthselau Beach looking towards St David's Head, Pembrokeshire, Wales
    145685.jpg
  • Sunset over the rocks on Porthselau Beach looking towards St David's Head, Pembrokeshire, Wales
    145683.jpg
  • Coastal habitat at Kimmeridge Ledges, Dorset, UK
    154937.jpg
  • Coastal habitat at Kimmeridge Ledges, Dorset, UK
    154938.jpg
  • Two tone cliffs and lighthouse at Hunstanton, Norfolk, Uk
    154431.jpg
  • Sunset over the rocks on Porthselau Beach looking towards St David's Head, Pembrokeshire, Wales
    145686.jpg
  • Sunset from Porthselau Beach, Pembrokeshire, Wales, Uk
    145687.jpg
  • Coastal habitat at Kimmeridge Ledges, Dorset, UK
    154936.jpg
  • Sunset over the rocks on Porthselau Beach looking towards St David's Head, Pembrokeshire, Wales
    145682.jpg
  • The beach at Hunstanton taken from the cliff top, Norfolk, Uk
    154430.jpg
  • Coastal habitat at Kimmeridge Ledges, Dorset, UK
    154935.jpg
  • Two tone cliffs and lighthouse at Hunstanton, Norfolk, Uk
    154432.jpg
  • Sea Scorpion Taurulus bubalis Length to 20cm<br />
A rockpool fish with a large, spiny head is likely to be this species. Adult has an angular, almost lizard-like head; gill covering armed with 4 spines. Lateral line is spiny. Has white barbels at corners of mouth. Colour and patterning is variable and matches background; often marbled reddish-brown, with dark banding. Widespread and locally common, least so in SE.
    142186.jpg
  • Sea Scorpion Taurulus bubalis Length to 20cm<br />
A rockpool fish with a large, spiny head is likely to be this species. Adult has an angular, almost lizard-like head; gill covering armed with 4 spines. Lateral line is spiny. Has white barbels at corners of mouth. Colour and patterning is variable and matches background; often marbled reddish-brown, with dark banding. Widespread and locally common, least so in SE.
    141518.jpg
  • Sea Scorpion Taurulus bubalis Length to 20cm<br />
A rockpool fish with a large, spiny head is likely to be this species. Adult has an angular, almost lizard-like head; gill covering armed with 4 spines. Lateral line is spiny. Has white barbels at corners of mouth. Colour and patterning is variable and matches background; often marbled reddish-brown, with dark banding. Widespread and locally common, least so in SE.
    142443.jpg
  • Sea Scorpion Taurulus bubalis Length to 20cm<br />
A rockpool fish with a large, spiny head is likely to be this species. Adult has an angular, almost lizard-like head; gill covering armed with 4 spines. Lateral line is spiny. Has white barbels at corners of mouth. Colour and patterning is variable and matches background; often marbled reddish-brown, with dark banding. Widespread and locally common, least so in SE.
    141519.jpg
  • Plaice - Pleuronectes platessa Length to 50cm. A typical flatfish. Adult lives with right side, and eyes, facing uppermost. Outline is oval-rhomboid with a pointed head and slender tail. Marbled patterning on upper surface is a good match for sand; note the dark-centred red spots. Widespread and locally common.
    156934.jpg
  • Turbot - Psetta maxima. Juvenile fish undergoing torsion and still swimming and orientated  in a conventional fish manner. Top image = left side, bottom image = right side
    153704.jpg
  • Montagu's Sea Snail Liparis montagui Length to 5cm<br />
Unusual species, recalling a plump tadpole. At first glance, hard to recognise as a fish at all. Found in pools and under stones on lower shore. Adult is slimy and scaleless, with skin that wrinkles. Head is bulbous. Dorsal and anal fins do not overlap tail fin. Colour variable, often yellowish but sometimes dark reddish-brown. Widespread but local; mainly in S and W.
    142671.jpg
  • Montagu's Sea Snail Liparis montagui Length to 5cm<br />
Unusual species, recalling a plump tadpole. At first glance, hard to recognise as a fish at all. Found in pools and under stones on lower shore. Adult is slimy and scaleless, with skin that wrinkles. Head is bulbous. Dorsal and anal fins do not overlap tail fin. Colour variable, often yellowish but sometimes dark reddish-brown. Widespread but local; mainly in S and W.
    142672.jpg
  • Lumpsucker Cyclopterus lumpus Length to 55cm<br />
Unmistakable fish. Usually lives offshore but males, guarding eggs, are sometimes found in rocky shallows. Young sometimes occur pools on lower shore, and among floating rafts of seaweed. Adult is the size and shape of a rugby ball. Skin is lumpy and sometimes covered in parasites. Typically bluish-black above marbled reddish below. Young are often uniformly red or yellow. Widespread but local; commonest in N.
    142658.jpg
  • Connemara Clingfish Lepadogaster candollii Length to 7cm <br />
Similar to Shore Clingfish but separable with care. Found under rocks and in pools on lower shore. Adult has a flattened body and large head. Typically green with reddish marbling. Lacks eyespots but note 2 red spots present at base of dorsal fin. Eyes are relatively large with radial bands of colour. Dorsal and anal fins are not connected to tail fin (they are in Shore Clingfish) but this feature can be hard to discern. Local and rather scarce, mainly in SW and NW.
    142651.jpg
  • Worm Pipefish Nerophis lumbriciformis Length to 15cm<br />
At first glance, hard to recognise as a living creatures, let alone a fish. Found among seaweeds and under rocks at low water, but easily overlooked. Adult has very slender, stiff body with small dorsal fin; pectoral and tail fins are absent. Snout is short and upcurved creating ‘pug-nosed’ look. Usually dark yellowish-brown. Widespread and locally common in SW and W; mostly absent from E England
    142559.jpg
  • Conger Eel Conger conger Length to 180cm<br />
Impressive eel. Large individuals favour wrecks and rocky crevices and are sometimes seen when snorkelling. Smaller animals are found under rocks at low water. Adult has slender body, blue-grey above, paler below. Eye is relatively large, upper jaw protrudes and dorsal fin starts just behind pectoral fins. Widespread and generally common, least so on E coasts.
    141882.jpg
  • Two-spotted Goby Gobiusculus flavescens L to 6cm<br />
Well-marked fish that spends more time swimming in water column than most other gobies. Found among seaweeds and eelgrass beds in shallow water. Aduklt has rather streamlined body, marbled brown and buff with blue spots and pale dorsal patches. Typically there is a dark spot at base of tail; male has 2nd dark spot behind pectoral fin. Locally common except along E coast.
    141659.jpg
  • Lumpsucker Cyclopterus lumpus Length to 55cm<br />
Unmistakable fish. Usually lives offshore but males, guarding eggs, are sometimes found in rocky shallows. Young sometimes occur pools on lower shore, and among floating rafts of seaweed. Adult is the size and shape of a rugby ball. Skin is lumpy and sometimes covered in parasites. Typically bluish-black above marbled reddish below. Young are often uniformly red or yellow. Widespread but local; commonest in N.
    142943.jpg
  • Rock Goby Gobius paganellus Length to 12cm<br />
Robust goby. Found in pools and under rocks on lower shore. Adult has relatively large head and tail. Typically body is marbled brown, buff and grey but some individuals can be very dark (especially in spring) leading to confusion with Black Goby. Pale, yellowish-orange outer margin to 1st dorsal fin is diagnostic. It also has more than 50 scales along lateral line. Locally common in S and W; scarce elsewhere.
    142673.jpg
  • Grey Gurnard Eutrigla gurnardus Length to 45cm<br />
Distinctive fish. Favours sandy and mixed substrates; found in inshore waters in summer. Adult has large head and eyes, and sloping forehead. Pectoral fin does not reach vent; lowest 3 rays lack webbing and are tactile. 1st dorsal fin often has dark spot. Lateral line is spiny. Overall usually grey-brown with swirly pattern of pale lines and spots on lower flanks. Locally common in S and W; scarce or absent from E.
    142657.jpg
  • Greater Pipefish Syngnathus acus Length to 50cm<br />
Relatively large and robust by pipefish standards. Found among seaweeds and eelgrass. Adult has long slender body, with pectoral fins, and small tail and dorsal fins. Head is angular-looking with ‘hump’ behind eye; snout is long with concave profile. Typically brown above, paler below, often with dark bands down back. Widespread and locally common in S and W only.
    142445.jpg
  • Black Goby Gobius niger Length to 16cm<br />
Similar proportions to Rock Goby, often with similar colouration too. Favours estuaries and sheltered coasts with muddy substrates; often in eelgrass beds. Adult is uniformly black in some individuals but typically marbled brown and grey-buff. 1st dorsal fin is typically pointed, rather than curved) and lacks a pale margin. Both dorsal fins usually show a dark spot at the front. Has fewer than 50 scales along lateral line. Locally common, S and W only.
    142119.jpg
  • Fifteen-spined Stickleback Spinachia spinachia Length to 15cm<br />
Truly marine stickleback, found in sheltered seas among seaweeds and eelgrass. Adult has a slender body, elongate tail stock and 14-16 dorsal spines. Greenish above, silvery below. Widespread and locally common except in SE.
    141875.jpg
  • Sole Solea solea Length to 50cm <br />
Distinctive flatfish whose outline recalls a shoe sole. Found on sandy substrates on coasts and in estuaries. Adult lives with right side, and eyes, facing uppermost. Mouth is not terminal, upper pectoral fin has a black spot and skin is rough and patterned to look like sand and gravel. Anal fin has 61-74 rays, dorsal fin 65-78 rays. Black spot on upper pectoral fin is ‘flashed’ as fin is erected in alarm. This looks strikingly similar to ‘warning’ issued by Lesser Weever whose fin spines are venomous.  Widespread and locally common in S half of Britain; scarce further north.
    141540.jpg
  • Topknot Zeugopterus punctatus Length to 20cm<br />
Distinctive fish. Unusually for flatfish it favours rocky coasts and is quite happy clinging onto vertical sides of rock faces. Adult lives with left side, and eyes, facing uppermost. Outline is round-oval with anal and dorsal fins almost meeting at head end, and continuous with tail. Upper surface is typically marbled reddish brown. Widespread and locally common, except on E coast.
    141527.jpg
  • Plaice Pleuronectes platessa Length to 50cm<br />
A typical flatfish. Adult lives with right side, and eyes, facing uppermost. Outline is oval-rhomboid with a pointed head and slender tail. Marbled patterning on upper surface is a good match for sand; note the dark-centred red spots. Widespread and locally common.
    139541.jpg
  • Plaice - Pleuronectes platessa Length to 50cm. A typical flatfish. Adult lives with right side, and eyes, facing uppermost. Outline is oval-rhomboid with a pointed head and slender tail. Marbled patterning on upper surface is a good match for sand; note the dark-centred red spots. Widespread and locally common.
    156903.jpg
  • Giant Goby - Gobius cobitis
    155321.jpg
  • Dragonet Callionymus lyra Length to 20cm<br />
Distinctive fish. Broad and flattened at head end, slender and tapering behind. Favours shallow inshore seas, sometimes found in pools on lower shore. Adult has rather long, tapering snout. Breeding male is distinctive: marbled reddish-brown with blue spots; 1st dorsal fin is very tall, 2nd marked with blue and yellow. Immatures and females are marbled yellow-brown; 1st dorsal fin is much shorter. Widespread but commonest on S and W coasts only.
    142971.jpg
  • Common Goby Pomatoschistus microps Length to 70mm<br />
A small fish whose colours and markings are variable and will change according to background. It favours estuaries and brackish water. Adult male has a dark spot at base of 1st dorsal, and pectoral fins; there 40-50 scales along the side; scales are absent on top of head. It is patchily distributed and absent from much of NE.
    142972.jpg
  • Two-spotted Goby Gobiusculus flavescens L to 6cm<br />
Well-marked fish that spends more time swimming in water column than most other gobies. Found among seaweeds and eelgrass beds in shallow water. Aduklt has rather streamlined body, marbled brown and buff with blue spots and pale dorsal patches. Typically there is a dark spot at base of tail; male has 2nd dark spot behind pectoral fin. Locally common except along E coast.
    142957.jpg
  • Nilsson’s Pipefish Syngnathus rostellatus Length to 15cm<br />
Similar to Greater Pipefish but with a shorter snout (roughly same length as rest of head). It also lacks a ‘hump’ behind the eye. Favours sandy estuaries and bays.
    142955.jpg
  • Butterfish Pholis gunnellus Length to 25cm<br />
Distinctive and unmistakable fish. Found under rocks and seaweed on lower shore. Adult is superficially eel-like but laterally compressed, yellow body with 15 pale-margined dark spots down dorsal surface. Scales are tiny and embedded in skin; fish is very slippery. Widespread and locally common; least so in E England.
    142762.jpg
  • Common Goby Pomatoschistus microps Length to 70mm<br />
A small fish whose colours and markings are variable and will change according to background. It favours estuaries and brackish water. Adult male has a dark spot at base of 1st dorsal, and pectoral fins; there 40-50 scales along the side; scales are absent on top of head. It is patchily distributed and absent from much of NE.
    142748.jpg
  • Rock Goby Gobius paganellus Length to 12cm<br />
Robust goby. Found in pools and under rocks on lower shore. Adult has relatively large head and tail. Typically body is marbled brown, buff and grey but some individuals can be very dark (especially in spring) leading to confusion with Black Goby. Pale, yellowish-orange outer margin to 1st dorsal fin is diagnostic. It also has more than 50 scales along lateral line. Locally common in S and W; scarce elsewhere.
    142722.jpg
  • Lumpsucker - Cyclopterus lumpus - juvenile. Length to 55cm<br />
Unmistakable fish. Usually lives offshore but males, guarding eggs, are sometimes found in rocky shallows. Young sometimes occur pools on lower shore, and among floating rafts of seaweed. Adult is the size and shape of a rugby ball. Skin is lumpy and sometimes covered in parasites. Typically bluish-black above marbled reddish below. Young are often uniformly red or yellow. Widespread but local; commonest in N.
    142715.jpg
  • Rock Cook Centrolabrus exoletus Length to 15cm<br />
Colourful wrasse with a relatively small mouth. Found on rocky coasts and around pier pilings. Adult is variably colourful, often with reddish-brown, blue and yellowish reticulations. Note the diagnostic dark band across base of tail. Widespread and locally common in S and W; almost absent from coast of E England.
    142570.jpg
  • Greater Pipefish Syngnathus acus Length to 50cm<br />
Relatively large and robust by pipefish standards. Found among seaweeds and eelgrass. Adult has long slender body, with pectoral fins, and small tail and dorsal fins. Head is angular-looking with ‘hump’ behind eye; snout is long with concave profile. Typically brown above, paler below, often with dark bands down back. Widespread and locally common in S and W only.
    142558.jpg
  • Snake Pipefish Entelurus aequoreus Length to 40cm<br />
Similar to Greater Pipefish but separable by studying markings and head profile. Found among seaweeds and eelgrass. Adult has slender body, with small dorsal fin and tiny caudal fin; pectoral fins absent. Usually yellowish-brown with vertical dark-bordered pale lines along body, and dark line through eye. Head is not angular; snout is long with straight, or very gently concave, profile. Widespread but local, absent from much of E.
    142540.jpg
  • Red Gurnard Aspitrigla cuculus Length to 30cm<br />
Stunning fish. Favours sandy and mixed substrates; found in inshore waters in summer. Adult has large head and eyes; sloping forehead has more concave profile than Grey Gurnard. Pectoral fins extend beyond vent lowest 3 rays lack webbing and are tactile. Lateral line is not spiny. Overall red, grading to pinkish white on belly. Locally common in S and W; scarce or absent from E coasts.
    142449.jpg
  • Black Goby Gobius niger Length to 16cm<br />
Similar proportions to Rock Goby, often with similar colouration too. Favours estuaries and sheltered coasts with muddy substrates; often in eelgrass beds. Adult is uniformly black in some individuals but typically marbled brown and grey-buff. 1st dorsal fin is typically pointed, rather than curved) and lacks a pale margin. Both dorsal fins usually show a dark spot at the front. Has fewer than 50 scales along lateral line. Locally common, S and W only.
    142118.jpg
  • Conger Eel Conger conger Length to 180cm<br />
Impressive eel. Large individuals favour wrecks and rocky crevices and are sometimes seen when snorkelling. Smaller animals are found under rocks at low water. Adult has slender body, blue-grey above, paler below. Eye is relatively large, upper jaw protrudes and dorsal fin starts just behind pectoral fins. Widespread and generally common, least so on E coasts.
    141883.jpg
  • Shore Rockling Gaidropsarus mediterraneus Length to 40cm<br />
Elongated, eel-like fish; head has 3 barbels. Found on lower shore, under rocks and in pools. Adult is dark brown overall, paler below than above. Head has 3 barbels. Fin arrangement is similar to that of Five-bearded. Local, SW only. NOTE Young of this species, and other rocklings, are known as ‘mackerel midges’ and are greenish above, silvery below; they are found among drifting seaweed rafts, and tangled hiding places on the seabed.
    141666.jpg
  • Three-spined Stickleback Gasterosteus aculeatus Length to 10cm<br />
Familiar freshwater ‘tiddler’ that also occurs in estuaries and brackish lagoons. Adult has slender body, elongate tail stock and 3 spines (2 long, 1 short) in front of dorsal fin. Mostly yellowish-green above, silvery below; breeding male has red belly and blue eyes. Widespread and locally common.
    141651.jpg
  • Lesser Weever Echiichthys vipera Length to 15cm<br />
Notorious fish, capable of inflicting painful sting in a bather’s foot. Found on sandy beaches, mostly buried in substrate during daytime with just eyes visible. Adult has elongate, laterally flattened body with upturned mouth and eyes on top of head. 1st dorsal fin (with venomous spines) has black membrane; fin is raised in defence. Body is marbled reddish and yellow-grey above, paler below. Widespread and locally common, mainly in S half of Britain.
    141603.jpg
  • Lesser Weever Echiichthys vipera Length to 15cm<br />
Notorious fish, capable of inflicting painful sting in a bather’s foot. Found on sandy beaches, mostly buried in substrate during daytime with just eyes visible. Adult has elongate, laterally flattened body with upturned mouth and eyes on top of head. 1st dorsal fin (with venomous spines) has black membrane; fin is raised in defence. Body is marbled reddish and yellow-grey above, paler below. Widespread and locally common, mainly in S half of Britain.
    141598.jpg
  • Lesser Weever Echiichthys vipera Length to 15cm<br />
Notorious fish, capable of inflicting painful sting in a bather’s foot. Found on sandy beaches, mostly buried in substrate during daytime with just eyes visible. Adult has elongate, laterally flattened body with upturned mouth and eyes on top of head. 1st dorsal fin (with venomous spines) has black membrane; fin is raised in defence. Body is marbled reddish and yellow-grey above, paler below. Widespread and locally common, mainly in S half of Britain.
    141597.jpg
  • Sole Solea solea Length to 50cm <br />
Distinctive flatfish whose outline recalls a shoe sole. Found on sandy substrates on coasts and in estuaries. Adult lives with right side, and eyes, facing uppermost. Mouth is not terminal, upper pectoral fin has a black spot and skin is rough and patterned to look like sand and gravel. Anal fin has 61-74 rays, dorsal fin 65-78 rays. Black spot on upper pectoral fin is ‘flashed’ as fin is erected in alarm. This looks strikingly similar to ‘warning’ issued by Lesser Weever whose fin spines are venomous.  Widespread and locally common in S half of Britain; scarce further north.
    141528.jpg
  • Plaice Pleuronectes platessa Length to 50cm<br />
A typical flatfish. Adult lives with right side, and eyes, facing uppermost. Outline is oval-rhomboid with a pointed head and slender tail. Marbled patterning on upper surface is a good match for sand; note the dark-centred red spots. Widespread and locally common.
    139546.jpg
  • Three-bearded Rockling Gaidropsarus vulgaris Length to 50cm. Attractive, well-marked fish. Mostly sublittoral but sometimes found in pools on lower shore. Adult is pinkish-orange, marbled with darker patches; overall, darker above than below. Head has 3 barbels. Widespread and locally common in SW and W only.
    144683.jpg
  • Bull Rout Myoxocephalus scorpius Length to 25cm<br />
Adult has an angular, almost lizard-like head armoured with shortish spines. There are no white barbels at corners of mouth (c.f. Sea Scorpion). Widespread and locally common, least so in SE. Seldom intertidal except in far N.
    142963.jpg
  • Five-bearded Rockling Ciliata mustela Length to 30cm<br />
Elongate, rather cylindrical fish. Found in pools and under rocks on lower shore; adept at slithering into crevices to escape capture. Adult is overall brown above, paler below. 1st dorsal fin has long ray at front; 2nd dorsal fin contuse almost to tail. Head has 5 barbels. Widespread and fairly common, except in N.
    142961.jpg
  • Two-spotted Goby Gobiusculus flavescens L to 6cm<br />
Well-marked fish that spends more time swimming in water column than most other gobies. Found among seaweeds and eelgrass beds in shallow water. Aduklt has rather streamlined body, marbled brown and buff with blue spots and pale dorsal patches. Typically there is a dark spot at base of tail; male has 2nd dark spot behind pectoral fin. Locally common except along E coast.
    142958.jpg
  • Sand Goby Pomatoschistus minutus Length to 65mm<br />
The chances are that any small goby you come across on a sandy shore will be this species. It is found in estuaries and on sandy coasts. It is usually buff, marbled and mottled darker, and a blue-ringed black spot is present on 1st dorsal fin. There are 50-75 scale rows along the side and scales are present on top of the head.
    142750.jpg
  • Rock Goby Gobius paganellus Length to 12cm<br />
Robust goby. Found in pools and under rocks on lower shore. Adult has relatively large head and tail. Typically body is marbled brown, buff and grey but some individuals can be very dark (especially in spring) leading to confusion with Black Goby. Pale, yellowish-orange outer margin to 1st dorsal fin is diagnostic. It also has more than 50 scales along lateral line. Locally common in S and W; scarce elsewhere.
    142721.jpg
  • Black Goby Gobius niger Length to 16cm<br />
Similar proportions to Rock Goby, often with similar colouration too. Favours estuaries and sheltered coasts with muddy substrates; often in eelgrass beds. Adult is uniformly black in some individuals but typically marbled brown and grey-buff. 1st dorsal fin is typically pointed, rather than curved) and lacks a pale margin. Both dorsal fins usually show a dark spot at the front. Has fewer than 50 scales along lateral line. Locally common, S and W only.
    142720.jpg
  • Shore Rockling - Gaidropsarus mediterraneus - juvenile. Length to 40cm<br />
Elongated, eel-like fish; head has 3 barbels. Found on lower shore, under rocks and in pools. Adult is dark brown overall, paler below than above. Head has 3 barbels. Fin arrangement is similar to that of Five-bearded. Local, SW only. NOTE Young of this species, and other rocklings, are known as ‘mackerel midges’ and are greenish above, silvery below; they are found among drifting seaweed rafts, and tangled hiding places on the seabed.
    142714.jpg
  • Straight-nosed Pipefish Nerophis ophidon Length to 25cm<br />
Similar to Worm Pipefish but with straighter, longer snout (roughly same length as rest of head). Found among seaweeds and eelgrass.
    142716.jpg
  • Montagu's Blenny Coryphoblennius galerita Length to 8cm<br />
Colourful and distinctive blenny. Found in pools on rocky coasts, usually on mid-shore. Adult has similar shape overall to Shanny but with more obvious dip in middle of dorsal fin and diagnostic tall, frilly tentacle on centre of forehead, with smaller ones behind. Colour is variable but often marbled black, reddish and blue with pale spots. Locally common but mainly in S and W.
    142660.jpg
  • Montagu's Blenny Coryphoblennius galerita Length to 8cm<br />
Colourful and distinctive blenny. Found in pools on rocky coasts, usually on mid-shore. Adult has similar shape overall to Shanny but with more obvious dip in middle of dorsal fin and diagnostic tall, frilly tentacle on centre of forehead, with smaller ones behind. Colour is variable but often marbled black, reddish and blue with pale spots. Locally common but mainly in S and W.
    142659.jpg
  • Dragonet Callionymus lyra Length to 20cm<br />
Distinctive fish. Broad and flattened at head end, slender and tapering behind. Favours shallow inshore seas, sometimes found in pools on lower shore. Adult has rather long, tapering snout. Breeding male is distinctive: marbled reddish-brown with blue spots; 1st dorsal fin is very tall, 2nd marked with blue and yellow. Immatures and females are marbled yellow-brown; 1st dorsal fin is much shorter. Widespread but commonest on S and W coasts only.
    142656.jpg
  • Connemara Clingfish Lepadogaster candollii Length to 7cm <br />
Similar to Shore Clingfish but separable with care. Found under rocks and in pools on lower shore. Adult has a flattened body and large head. Typically green with reddish marbling. Lacks eyespots but note 2 red spots present at base of dorsal fin. Eyes are relatively large with radial bands of colour. Dorsal and anal fins are not connected to tail fin (they are in Shore Clingfish) but this feature can be hard to discern. Local and rather scarce, mainly in SW and NW.
    142653.jpg
  • Greater Pipefish Syngnathus acus Length to 50cm<br />
Relatively large and robust by pipefish standards. Found among seaweeds and eelgrass. Adult has long slender body, with pectoral fins, and small tail and dorsal fins. Head is angular-looking with ‘hump’ behind eye; snout is long with concave profile. Typically brown above, paler below, often with dark bands down back. Widespread and locally common in S and W only.
    142654.jpg
  • Small-headed Clingfish Apletodon dentatus Length to 4cm<br />
Small clingfish. In pools and sublittoral on rocky shores; sometimes inside bulbous Saccorhiza holdfasts. Easily overlooked: well camouflaged and often remains motionless when exposed. Adult has slender, rather flattened but angular body with pointed snout. Colour is variable: usually marbled greenish (sometimes reddish) with pale patches on back. Has dark patch at base of dorsal and anal fins. Anal fin lies below dorsal. Widespread but local in W and SW.
    142652.jpg
  • Deep-snouted Pipefish Syngnathus typhle Length to 35cm<br />
Similar proportions to Greater Pipefish but head and long snout form a continuous, straight profile. Typically marbled yellowish-green. Local, mainly in SW.
    142649.jpg
  • Tub Gurnard - Trigla lucerna (formerly Chelidonichthys lucerna)Length to 55cm<br />
Attractive fish. Favours sandy and mixed substrates; found in inshore waters in summer. Adult has large head and eyes; forehead slopes abruptly. Pectoral fins extend beyond vent; lowest 3 rays lack webbing and are tactile. Lateral line is not spiny. Overall orange-brown; pectoral fins are often yellow with a blue margin. Locally common in S and W; scarce or absent from E coasts.
    142536.jpg
  • Dragonet Callionymus lyra Length to 20cm<br />
Distinctive fish. Broad and flattened at head end, slender and tapering behind. Favours shallow inshore seas, sometimes found in pools on lower shore. Adult has rather long, tapering snout. Breeding male is distinctive: marbled reddish-brown with blue spots; 1st dorsal fin is very tall, 2nd marked with blue and yellow. Immatures and females are marbled yellow-brown; 1st dorsal fin is much shorter. Widespread but commonest on S and W coasts only.
    142446.jpg
  • Sand Smelt Atherina presbyter Length to 15cm<br />
Slender, silvery-looking fish. Swims in shoals, often in inshore waters in summer months. Adult is yellowish-green above, pale below with silver scales along flanks. Has 2 dorsal fins, sited above pelvic and anal fins respectively. Local and seasonal, mainly in S and SW.
    142447.jpg
  • Sand Goby Pomatoschistus minutus Length to 65mm<br />
The chances are that any small goby you come across on a sandy shore will be this species. It is found in estuaries and on sandy coasts. It is usually buff, marbled and mottled darker, and a blue-ringed black spot is present on 1st dorsal fin. There are 50-75 scale rows along the side and scales are present on top of the head.
    142180.jpg
  • Tompot Blenny Parablennius gattorugine Length to 25cm<br />
Impressive and colourful blenny. Found on rocky coasts, on lower shore and sublittoral. Adult has similar shape overall to Blenny but stouter body and striking dorsal fin that starts further forward and lacks obvious dip in middle. Head bears pair of frilly tentacles. Colour is variable but usually marbled reddish-brown and buff with dark bands. Locally common, SW only.
    142127.jpg
  • Rock Goby Gobius paganellus Length to 12cm<br />
Robust goby. Found in pools and under rocks on lower shore. Adult has relatively large head and tail. Typically body is marbled brown, buff and grey but some individuals can be very dark (especially in spring) leading to confusion with Black Goby. Pale, yellowish-orange outer margin to 1st dorsal fin is diagnostic. It also has more than 50 scales along lateral line. Locally common in S and W; scarce elsewhere.
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  • Conger Eel Conger conger Length to 180cm<br />
Impressive eel. Large individuals favour wrecks and rocky crevices and are sometimes seen when snorkelling. Smaller animals are found under rocks at low water. Adult has slender body, blue-grey above, paler below. Eye is relatively large, upper jaw protrudes and dorsal fin starts just behind pectoral fins. Widespread and generally common, least so on E coasts.
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  • Rock Goby Gobius paganellus Length to 12cm<br />
Robust goby. Found in pools and under rocks on lower shore. Adult has relatively large head and tail. Typically body is marbled brown, buff and grey but some individuals can be very dark (especially in spring) leading to confusion with Black Goby. Pale, yellowish-orange outer margin to 1st dorsal fin is diagnostic. It also has more than 50 scales along lateral line. Locally common in S and W; scarce elsewhere.
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  • Lesser Spotted Catshark Scyliorhinus canicula Length to 75cm<br />
Familiar inshore fish, better known as a Dogfish. Found in inshore waters, on mixed substrates. Adult is slender and buffish-yellow above with darker spots. Skin is rough, with a texture like sandpaper. The eye has slit-like pupil in bright light. It lays eggs, protected in a tough case, a so called ‘Mermaid’s Purse’. Widespread and locally common, except along E coast.
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  • Shore ClingfishLepadogaster lepadogaster Length to 8cm<br />
Distinctive intertidal fish, found under rocks and in pools on lower shore. Adult is overall tadpole-shaped and broadly flattened, with a pointed snout. Colour is variable but typically yellow or orange with pattern of pale lines and dark spots, and 2 blue eyespots behind real eyes. Note also feathery tentacles in front of eyes. Pelvic fins are modified to form sucker, used for clinging to rocks. Widespread but local, commonest in SW from Dorset to N Wales.
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  • Plaice Pleuronectes platessa Length to 50cm<br />
A typical flatfish. Adult lives with right side, and eyes, facing uppermost. Outline is oval-rhomboid with a pointed head and slender tail. Marbled patterning on upper surface is a good match for sand; note the dark-centred red spots. Widespread and locally common.
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  • Greater Pipefish Syngnathus acus Length to 50cm<br />
Relatively large and robust by pipefish standards. Found among seaweeds and eelgrass. Adult has long slender body, with pectoral fins, and small tail and dorsal fins. Head is angular-looking with ‘hump’ behind eye; snout is long with concave profile. Typically brown above, paler below, often with dark bands down back. Widespread and locally common in S and W only.
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  • Mackerel Scomber scombrus Length to 55cm<br />
Fast-swimming predatory fish. Shoals are frequent in inshore waters in summer months and popular with anglers. Adult has streamlined body, pointed head and rather small dorsal fins. Small ‘finlets’ extend along top and bottom of narrowly tapering tail stock. Body is greenish with black bands above, silver on sides and whitish below; green colour fades to blue after death. Widespread; locally and seasonally common, especially in S and W.
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  • Nine-spined Stickleback Pungitius pungitius Length to 10cm <br />
Small, body-looking fish with 9-10 dorsal spines. Adult is yellowish-green above, silvery below. Found in sheltered bays and estuaries. Locally common, except in SW.
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  • Turbot - Psetta maxima Length to 70cm. Massive flatfish, only juveniles of which are found inshore. Favours sandy substrates. Adult lives with left side, and eyes, facing uppermost. Outline is rhomboid-diamond shaped with a pointed head and long tail. Upper surface is typical mottled grey with pale and black spots. Locally common in S and SW.
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  • Tompot Blenny Parablennius gattorugine Length to 25cm<br />
Impressive and colourful blenny. Found on rocky coasts, on lower shore and sublittoral. Adult has similar shape overall to Blenny but stouter body and striking dorsal fin that starts further forward and lacks obvious dip in middle. Head bears pair of frilly tentacles. Colour is variable but usually marbled reddish-brown and buff with dark bands. Locally common, SW only.
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  • Sand Goby Pomatoschistus minutus Length to 65mm<br />
The chances are that any small goby you come across on a sandy shore will be this species. It is found in estuaries and on sandy coasts. It is usually buff, marbled and mottled darker, and a blue-ringed black spot is present on 1st dorsal fin. There are 50-75 scale rows along the side and scales are present on top of the head.
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  • Montagu's Sea Snail Liparis montagui Length to 5cm<br />
Unusual species, recalling a plump tadpole. At first glance, hard to recognise as a fish at all. Found in pools and under stones on lower shore. Adult is slimy and scaleless, with skin that wrinkles. Head is bulbous. Dorsal and anal fins do not overlap tail fin. Colour variable, often yellowish but sometimes dark reddish-brown. STATUS Widespread but local; mainly in S and W.
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  • Flounder Platichthys flesus Length to 50cm<br />
One of our most widespread and familiar flatfish. Found on sandy substrates, and young animals often occur inshore. Adult lives with right side, and eyes, facing uppermost. Outline is elongate-oval, and head, tail and tail stock are proportionately large. Mottled patterning resembles sand and gravel. Widespread and locally common.
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  • Brill Scophthalmus rhombus Length to 55cm<br />
Beautifully patterned flatfish. Superbly camouflaged against the sandy substrates that if favours. Adult lives with left side, and eyes, facing uppermost. Outline is broadly oval, anal and dorsal fins are broadest towards tail, and anterior rays of dorsal fin are separated into filaments. Locally common only in S and SW, north to Irish Sea.
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  • European Sea Bass Dicentrarchus labrax Length to 100cm<br />
Fast-swimming, streamlined predator and a popular sport fish. Often occurs close inshore. Adult is silvery-grey overall, darkest on dorsal surface, almost white on belly. Has 2 dorsal fins; 1st is spiny. Widespread but locally common only in S Britain.
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  • Wolf Fish Anarhichas lupus Length to 90cm<br />
Unmistakable, superficially eel-like fish. It is usually an offshore species but sometimes it is found in deep pools on lower shore. Adult is elongate with a large, bulbous head and stumpy, peg-like projecting teeth. Locally common in E and NE Scotland.
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  • Bull Rout Myoxocephalus scorpius Length to 25cm<br />
Adult has an angular, almost lizard-like head armoured with shortish spines. There are no white barbels at corners of mouth (c.f. Sea Scorpion). Widespread and locally common, least so in SE. Seldom intertidal except in far N.
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  • Small-headed Clingfish Apletodon dentatus Length to 4cm<br />
Small clingfish. In pools and sublittoral on rocky shores; sometimes inside bulbous Saccorhiza holdfasts. Easily overlooked: well camouflaged and often remains motionless when exposed. Adult has slender, rather flattened but angular body with pointed snout. Colour is variable: usually marbled greenish (sometimes reddish) with pale patches on back. Has dark patch at base of dorsal and anal fins. Anal fin lies below dorsal. Widespread but local in W and SW.
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  • Nine-spined Stickleback Pungitius pungitius Length to 10cm <br />
Small, body-looking fish with 9-10 dorsal spines. Adult is yellowish-green above, silvery below. Found in sheltered bays and estuaries. Locally common, except in SW.
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  • Lesser Sand Eel Ammodytes tobianus Length to 20cm<br />
Extremely slender fish. Swims in shoals and can burrow into sand and disappear almost instantly if alarmed. Appears silvery in water; outer of water upper half is greyish-yellow, lower half is silvery white. Dorsal fin starts above pectoral fin.
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