Sound of Mull

Saithe (Pollachius virens)

Also sometimes referred to as "Coley", particularly in the fish trade. The younger members of the species are the most common fish to be seen during most shore dives. They frequently form large shoals swimming around the reefs etc. Shoals may follow divers around to pick up food that has been disturbed by the divers movements. Size in shoals approx.20-30cm with larger individual specimens being found around exposed reefs or wrecks and may be distinguished from the closely related pollack by their equally sized upper and lower jaw and by their straight lateral line.

Pollack (Pollachius pollachius)

Generally encountered hovering over exposed edges of reefs or wrecks. Pollack have a projecting lower jaw and a bend in the lateral line which arches over the pectoral fin, distinguishing them from the saithe. Specimens of up to perhaps 1m in length may be spotted on occasion but more normally around 50-70cm.

"Thesis" Sound of Mull

Poor cod (Trisopterus minutus) 

Found in deeper water of perhaps 20m+, particularly around / under overhangs of wrecks or rocks out of the main water movement. They are a fairly uniform coppery bronze colour but unlike the pouting have no stripes. They are generally about 15-25cm in size.

Pouting / Bib (Trisopterus luscus)

Of a similar general colour to the poor cod the Pouting / bib can generally be distinguished from it by their larger size and most importantly the lighter vertical bands which exist down their sides

Oban

Ballan wrasse (Labrus bergylta)

One of the most common of the larger species they will frequently be seen cruising their patch whether this is over parts of a wreck, or natural boulder hard rock bottom. Often very tolerant of and even inquisitive with divers in more popular diving locations this may be to the extent of taking food from a divers hand. Size may vary from 30cm to occasional exceptional specimens approaching 70cm and normally seen down to about 20-25m.

(female)

Cuckoo wrasse Labrus mixtus

Two very distinctive fish, both from the same species. The male is one of the most brightly coloured fish in UK waters with its irridescent blue/purple streaks. All youngsters are born female but as they grow a few change sex to become male. It is therefore very unlikely that small male fish will be seen. Females are likely to be around 20-25cm with males somewhat larger to 30cm+.

Goldsinny wrasse Ctenolabrus rupestris

Smaller than the other species of wrasse (generally only about 10-15cm), an orangy /red to brown in colour with a single black spot on the upper edge of the body immediately ahead of the tail fin.

Perhaps mistaken as the fry of other species, being about 5-10cm in length, they are distinguished by a reddish colour with a black spot at the base of the tail. The second spot associated with its name is found in males below the first dorsal fin.

Unlike other gobys, they are generally not seen on the seabed but swimming in the water column above carpets of seaweed. It may be seen in quite large groups.

(Loch Dunvegan, Skye, 08/02)

John Dory Zeus faber

Although very rarely spotted, small of this species, specimens about the size of a dinner plate, have been seen by divers along the Moray coast. It has an upright flattened body with a distinctive black spot on either side (said to be the mark of St Peters thumbprint)