Male Rosehearty, Aberdeenshire

 Lumpsucker  (Cyclopterus lumpus)

A very short stocky species found firmly attached to large rocks or reefs by the powerful sucker formed by its pelvic fins . Females are a grey colour with males a dark red brown. Females are also normally slightly larger than males at around 30cm. During early summer the male may be found guarding a mass of yellowish coloured eggs placed within a hollow on a rock face or between rocks.

Rosehearty, Aberdeenshire

Bull rout (Myoxocephulus scorpius)

Also sometimes referred to as Father Lasher or Short-spined sea scorpion.  A close relative of the long spined sea scorpion, these are very well camouflaged but tend to be more drab in colour and larger in size than the long spined species. Depth range may be from surface down to around 15m. Size to about 30cm. There can often be a distinct "V" shaped band across the head behind the eyes

Long-spined sea scorpion (Taurulus bubalis)

Rosehearty, Aberdenshire (Iain Paul)

Possibly mistaken by a passing glance as a long spined sea scorpion, closer inspection will show up a number of distinctive features. These include a number of short tusk like protrusions on the upper tip of the "nose" which lead to one of its names, and a frill of barbels along the underside of its "chin". The body is also much more tapered leading to an extended tail section. Although nominally a resident of sand/mud bottoms, they have been seen early in the year at Rosehearty on rock/gravel substrate as well as sand - with the former possibly females as they lay their eggs on the hold-fasts of kelp.

Rosehearty, Aberdeenshire

These could equally be classed as a free swimming species forming large glistening shoals, but it is listed here as they will bury themselves for safety in soft sand if threatened by predators

A member of the blenny family distingusihed from other blennies by the lack of a tentacle on the head

Common/Lesser spotted dogfish (Scyliorhinus canicula)  Rosehearty

Greater spotted dogfish (Scyliorhinus stellaris)

Spurdog (Squalus acanthias)

In the absence of sightings of the fish itself, its presence locally can be seen by the existence of "mermaids purses" which are their egg cases.

Dogfish

The most likely "shark" to be encountered in UK waters. Although sometimes seen swimming across reefs through / kelp they will frequently be found resting on the bottom and have then even been caught by hand. 3 species may be found, the most frequent being the common or lesser spotted dogfish, with greater spotted dogfish and spur-dog also occurring. The names give an indication of the fishes appearance with lesser and greater referring to the size of spots as well as the overall size of the fish. The spur dog has a more uniform grey colouring than the others, and a spine forward of the dorsal fins.

Size is generally about 60-70 cm for the common and potentially 1m+ for the greater and spur dog.

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Rosehearty Picnic site 9/6/02

A very unusual discovery. This specimen was seen on consecutive dives in the entrance gully at Rosehearty at a depth of only 10 metres. The species is very distinctive withg large back eye-spots on each wing. As with several other rays, it has several rows of spines along the tail and body.

Angler fish (Lophius piscatorius)

Very well camouflaged against a rocky bottom this fish is all mouth and needle sharp teeth! Whilst remaining totally motionless a row of frilly skin growths help it to blend in to the surrounding seabed (generally hard rock / stony bottom) where they use the modified first ray of the dorsal fin as a lure, to hopefully attract small prey fish within range. If annoyed they can puff themselves up and display their menacing teeth. Divers are most likely to see fish in the 25-30cm size range but the fish can grow to in excess of 1m feet. Sightings of this species by members of the club have decreased dramatically with only 2 sighting over the past 4 seasons compared to 1 or 2 per dive previously.

Dragonette (Callionymus)

Found on sand / mud bottom against which they are well camouflaged by their colouring. They will often appear partially buried in the sand which is due to the semi-flattened shape of their bodies. If disturbed by divers they will generally dart off a short distance, before settling down and camouflaging themselves again.