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FISH CUT-OUTS { 177 images } Created 29 Jun 2013

Cut-out images of many species of freshwater and marine fish. We have done the hard work for you, these photographs being ready to for you to drop into any of your projects. Search for individual species by common or scientific name. Images up to A4 size at 300 dpi are downloadable to registered users with the necessary permissions. Many of the images are available as larger files if required. Please contact us for further information. All images and associated text are protected by copyright restrictions and should not be used or copied without the necessary permission.
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  • Ballan Wrasse - Labrus bergylta
    161293.jpg
  • Bullhead - Cottus gobio
    161292.jpg
  • Brown Trout - Salmo trutta
    161223.jpg
  • Brown Trout - Salmo trutta
    161222.jpg
  • Atlantic Salmon - Salmo salar
    161216.jpg
  • Sea Trout - Salmo trutta (anadromous form)
    161214.jpg
  • Tub Gurnard - Trigla lucerna (formerly Chelidonichthys lucerna)
    159838.jpg
  • Nursehound or Bull Huss - Scyliorhinus stellaris
    157321.jpg
  • Sand Sole -  Pegusa lascaris
    156905.jpg
  • Sand Sole - Pegusa lascaris Length to 40cm Similar to Sole, living with right side, and eyes, facing uppermost. Upper pectoral fin has dark centre (dark-tipped in Sole). Favours coasts with sandy substrates. Found in south and west Britain.
    156904.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
  • 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.
    156902.jpg
  • River Lamprey - Lampetra fluviatilis
    156245.jpg
  • Atlantic Sturgeon - Acipenser oxyrinchus
    156227.jpg
  • Giant Goby - Gobius cobitis
    155321.jpg
  • Scaldfish - Arnoglossus laterna
    154262.jpg
  • Baillon's Wrasse - Symphodus bailloni
    154260.jpg
  • Brown Trout - Salmo trutta
    153749.jpg
  • Garfish Belone belone Length to 90cm<br />
Unmistakable pelagic fish. Ventures into inshore waters in summer months, along with Mackerel. Adult has a very slender body and long pointed jaws, armed with sharp teeth. Dorsal, anal and tail fins are set far back on body. Green above, silvery on sides and white below. Locally, and seasonally, common, mainly in S and W.
    153705.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
  • Pogge Agonus cataphractus Length to 15cm<br />
Distinctive, elongated fish with an ‘armoured’ look about it. The broad, flattened head is armed with spines and barbels. It occurs in inshore waters, and is commonest in the W.
    145477.jpg
  • From top to bottom, left to right: Ballan Wrasse, Thornback Ray, Red Gurnard, Bull Rout, John Dory, Cod, Boarfish, Sole, Ray's Bream, Greater Pipefish, Mackerel
    143318.jpg
  • Fish scale close-up from Roach Rutilus rutilus, showing growth rings
    143190.jpg
  • Lesser Spotted Catshark (Dogfish) Scyliorhinus canicula egg case Length to 4cm. Capsule small, relatively narrow and translucent; has long curling tendrils at corners, and may be found in small groups.
    142994.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
  • 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
  • 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.
    142962.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
  • Gilthead Sparus aurata Length to 70cm<br />
Thick-bodied, fast-swimming fish. Similar to Black Sea-bream but with diagnostic yellow band across streep forehead and dark patch at anterior end of lateral line. Small numbers of this warm water species move into shallow British waters and estuary mouths on S coast in summer.
    142960.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
  • Thornback Ray Raja clavata Length to 90cm<br />
The most familiar inshore ray. Adult has a flat, roughly diamond-shaped body with a short snout. Dorsal surface of the long tail has thorny spines with swollen bases; these continue in a line along the dorsal surface of the body. Upper body surface is grey-brown with dark stripes or pale and dark spots; lower surface is pale. Tail looks banded. Lays eggs, protected in a tough case.
    142954.jpg
  • Thornback Ray Raja clavata Length to 90cm<br />
The most familiar inshore ray. Adult has a flat, roughly diamond-shaped body with a short snout. Dorsal surface of the long tail has thorny spines with swollen bases; these continue in a line along the dorsal surface of the body. Upper body surface is grey-brown with dark stripes or pale and dark spots; lower surface is pale. Tail looks banded. Lays eggs, protected in a tough case.
    142953.jpg
  • Three-spined Stickleback Gasterosteus aculeatus Length 4-7cm<br />
This ‘tiddler’ is a familiar resident of streams and brackish water, recognised at all times by the 3 dorsal spines; it is silvery for most of the year but, in the breeding season, the male acquires a red belly and bluish dorsal sheen.
    142952.jpg
  • Solenette Buglossidium luteum Length to 12cm<br />
Usually an offshore species, sometimes found at very low tides, but in S Britain only. Compared to Sole, upper pectoral fin lacks a black spot, blind side pectoral fin is vestigial (fully formed in Sole), and black line marks are seen every 5th or 6th ray of the dorsal and anal fins (those which fringe body).
    142771.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.
    142764.jpg
  • Dab Limanda limanda Length to 25cm<br />
Robust flatfish, found on sandy coasts. Adult lives with right side, and eyes (which are relatively large), facing uppermost. Lateral line on upper surface does a curving detour around above pectoral fin. Upper surface is rough and marbled orange-brown and grey. Widespread and locally common except in N and NE; declining everywhere.
    142763.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
  • Ray’s Bream Brama brama Length to 70cm<br />
An unmistakable laterally-compressed, deep-bodied fish. The head and eyes are proportionately very large. Overall, the fish is silvery-metallic in appearance, with a maroon/bronze sheen to the dorsal surface. This warm water species follows the Gulf Stream north in summer, retreating south in autumn; those that head south into the North Sea invariably end up dying and can be found on the north Norfolk coast in early winter.
    142742.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
  • 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
  • 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.
    142717.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
  • Undulate Ray Raja undulata Length to 1m <br />
Outline is typical of rays. Upperside is grey-brown above with dark lines bordered by white dots. Scarce, mainly in S.
    142713.jpg
  • Small-eyed Ray Raja microocellata Length to 75cm<br />
Well-marked ray. Found in mouths of estuaries and sandy bays. Adult has typical ray shape with rather short snout. Upper surface is grey-brown with pale lines and spots. Lays eggs, protected in a tough case. Widespread and locally common in S and W only.
    142681.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.
    142680.jpg
  • Horse Mackerel Trachurus trachurus Length to 70cm<br />
Pelagic, open water fish, also known as Scad. Ventures into inshore waters in summer; young fish associate with floating seaweed rafts. Adult often looks pale and silvery overall. Close view reveals green tinge to upperparts. Note also the striking curve in the lateral line. Eyes are proportionately large. Fairly common in S and SW only.
    142679.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.
    142678.jpg
  • Small-eyed Ray Raja microocellata Length to 75cm<br />
Well-marked ray. Found in mouths of estuaries and sandy bays. Adult has typical ray shape with rather short snout. Upper surface is grey-brown with pale lines and spots. Lays eggs, protected in a tough case. Widespread and locally common in S and W only.
    142677.jpg
  • Sand Sole Pegusa lascaris Length to 40cm Similar to Sole, living with right side, and eyes, facing uppermost. Upper pectoral fin has dark centre (dark-tipped in Sole). Favours coasts with sandy substrates. Found in south and west Britain.
    142676.jpg
  • Spotted Ray Raja montagui egg case length to 8cm<br />
Capsule long and slender; has four horns of similar length, one pair curled in at tip, the other pair curled upwards.
    142675.jpg
  • Small-eyed Ray Raja microocellata egg case length to 9cm<br />
Narrow, stongly curved capsule; has one very convex surface. Capsule narrows towards base of shortest pair of horns.
    142674.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
  • 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
  • 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.
    142662.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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • Smooth Hound Mustelus mustelus Length to 150cm<br />
Similar to Starry Smooth Hound but less frequently caught in inshore waters. Dorsal surface is uniformly grey-brown and lacks white spots. Widespread but generally scarce, S and SW only.
    142572.jpg
  • Common Stingray Dasyatis pastinaca Length to 120cm<br />
Fairly distinctive ray, renowned for ability to inflict painful wound. Favours estuary mouths and shores with muddy sand. Adult has shield-shaped body outline with a long, tapering tail, armed dorsally with a single ‘stinging’ spine. Upper surface of body is uniformly yellowish-grey. Gives birth to live young. Generally scarce, mainly in S.
    142571.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
  • Marbled Electric Ray Torpedo marmorata Length to 150cm<br />
Unusual ray, capable of delivering powerful shock (up to 220 volts) from organs in pectoral fins. Adult has unmistakable, rounded outline; tail is relatively short with rounded dorsal fins. Body upper surface is mottled and marbled grey-brown. Scarce, mainly in W and SW.
    142569.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
    142560.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
  • Striped Red Mullet Mullus surmuletus Length to 40cm<br />
Striking, colourful fish. Sometimes found inshore, on sandy and muddy substrates. Adult has a powerful, thickset body. Head is relatively large and blunt, with 2 barbels. Overall colour is red with darker and yellow lengthways stripes on sides. 1st dorsal fin is striped. Fairly common in S and SW.
    142506.jpg
  • Black Sea-bream Spondyliosoma cantharus Length to 55cm<br />
Deep-bodied fish with a steep profile to the head. Ventures into inshore waters in summer months. Adult is bluish-grey overall, darker above than below and tinged reddish on head and underparts. Dorsal fin has spiny rays; pectoral fins are relatively long. Widespread and fairly common in S and W; commonest from Dorset to Sussex.
    142450.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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • Saithe Pollachius virens Length to 75cm<br />
Northern cousin to Pollack, found on rocky coasts. Adult is dark greenish-black above, paler on sides and below. Lower jaw is only slightly longer than upper; barbel is absent. Has 3 dorsal fins and 2 anal fins. Widespread and generally common in N; scarce in SW, absent from SE
    142394.jpg
  • Poor-cod Trisopterus minutus Length to 25cm<br />
Streamlined but rather deep-bodied pelagic fish with proportionately very large eyes. Young in particular venture into inshore waters. Adult is brown above, silvery below. Has 3 dorsal fins and 2 anal fins. Lower jaw is roughly same length as upper, with delicate barbel. Widespread and locally common although absent from much of NE.
    142393.jpg
  • Three-bearded Rockling Gaidropsarus vulgaris Length to 50cm<br />
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.
    142392.jpg
  • Common Skate Dipturus batis egg case length to 18cm <br />
One of the largest egg cases. Capsule square; has fibrous, ragged appearance and short horns.
    142350.jpg
  • Spotted Ray Raja montagui Length to 75cm<br />
Similar to Thornback Ray but separable using pattern and structure. Fairly common in shallow inshore waters over sand. Adult has roughly diamond-shaped body and short, pointed snout. Upper surface is grey-brown with dark spots that do not extend to wing margins. Tail is long and does not look banded. Has spines along dorsal surface of tail and along centre of body; these lack swollen bases. Lays eggs, protected in a tough case. Widespread and locally common in S and W only.
    142226.jpg
  • Thornback Ray Raja clavata Length to 90cm<br />
The most familiar inshore ray. Adult has flat, roughly diamond-shaped body with a short snout. Dorsal surface of long tail has thorny spines with swollen bases; these continue in a line along dorsal surface of body. Upper body surface is grey-brown with dark stripes or pale and dark spots; lower surface is pale. Tail looks banded. Lays eggs, protected in a tough case. Widespread and locally common in S and W only.
    142225.jpg
  • Small-eyed Ray Raja microocellata Length to 75cm<br />
Well-marked ray. Found in mouths of estuaries and sandy bays. Adult has typical ray shape with rather short snout. Upper surface is grey-brown with pale lines and spots. Lays eggs, protected in a tough case. Widespread and locally common in S and W only.
    142224.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.
    142220.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. STATUS Widespread but local; mainly in S and W.
    142187.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
  • 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.
    142185.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.
    142182.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
  • 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.
    142178.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
  • 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.
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  • Goldsinny Ctenolabrus rupestris Length to 17cm<br />
Distinctive wrasse. Found on rocky coasts with plenty of seaweed cover; usually in shallow sublittoral. Adult is rather slim-bodied and mostly pinkish-buff with diagnostic dark spot at front of dorsal fin, and another at top of tail base. Widespread and locally common only on S and W coasts.
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  • Cuckoo Wrasse Labrus mixtus Length to 30cm<br />
Colourful distinctive wrasse. Found on rocky coasts, venturing inshore in summer months. Adult has a rather slender body. Male is mostly blue on head, flanks and tail, and pinkish-orange elsewhere. Female is orange with black spots at base of dorsal fin. Widespread and locally common in S and W; almost absent from coast of E England.
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  • Short-snouted Seahorse Hippocampus hippocampus Length to 15cm<br />
Enigmatic, unmistakable fish. Extremely hard to observe and protected by law. Adult has classic seahorse shape; profile is angular; body lacks slender projections. Local, mainly along S coast of England.
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  • Horse Mackerel Trachurus trachurus Length to 70cm<br />
Pelagic, open water fish, also known as Scad. Ventures into inshore waters in summer; young fish associate with floating seaweed rafts. Adult often looks pale and silvery overall. Close view reveals green tinge to upperparts. Note also the striking curve in the lateral line. Eyes are proportionately large. Fairly common in S and SW only.
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  • Salmon Salmo salar Length to 150cm<br />
Large and distinctive fish. Found in open seas for much of life, but migrates into freshwater to spawn. Adult has streamlined, powerfully muscular body. At sea, silver-grey above, silvery-white below, with dark spots on back and flanks; spawning individuals become duller and more yellow. Widespread and locally, and seasonally, fairly common, least so in E and SE.
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  • Herring Clupea harengus Length to 40cm<br />
Shoal-forming, economically important fish. Favours open seas but sometimes found inshore. Adult is streamlined, blue-grey above and silvery on sides. Dorsal fin starts in front of pelvic fin. Widespread but rather scarce, numbers much reduced in recent years due to overfishing.
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  • Undulate Ray Raja undulata egg case length to 9cm<br />
Long smooth-surfaced capsule; has one long pair of horns with curled tips and one shorter pair that curl up like a bob-sleigh.
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  • Spotted Ray Raja montagui egg case length to 8cm<br />
Capsule long and slender; has four horns of similar length, one pair curled in at tip, the other pair curled upwards.
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  • Thornback Ray Raja clavata egg case Length to 9cm<br />
Capsule square and plump; has horns of equal length, up to half length of capsule.
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  • Blonde Ray Raja brachyura egg case Length to 14cm<br />
Capsule longer than broad with one flat and one convex side. Has one pair of horns almost as long as capsule and one pair much shorter and curved; these are often damaged.
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