River Dee at Potarch

Most likely seen whilst migrating upstream to breed during summer. These are very powerful fish and divers may experience considerable water turbulence from their passing close by!

Boddam Quarry

Rainbow trout Salmo gairdneri

A species originally introduced to the UK from America and except for "escapees" is still a stocked species, bred for sport or commercial fish market sale.

Lynn of Dee

Brown trout Salmo trutta

 The "common" species in UK. Generally found in cold well oxygenated waters, particularly fast, moving streams and rivers.

Boddam Quarry

3 spine stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus)

A small species, to approx. 2inch in length, it is generally seen in large shoals in clean, shallow water although individuals have been seen at depths down to 20m in a local quarry. It has 3 pronounced spines on its back. Males have pronounced reddish patch on their belly during the breeding season and are very territorial and aggressive. They build and protect a nest of bits of grass and weed in a hollow on the gravel bottom within which a number of females may lay eggs.

River Dee at Potarch

Although sometime found swimming free, they are more likely to be found hiding in crevices or in detritus on the bottom and may be mistaken for small sticks. Size is variable but most often around 20-40cm in length and perhaps 2cm diameter body.

Pike Esox lucius

Fortunately not encountered on any of the Ellon freshwater dives. This is a real predator feeding on anything within reach including small waterfowl on occasion.