Sandhaven, Aberdeenshire

15 spine stickleback (Spinachia spinachia)

This is a totally marine species water divers are most likely to find it in relatively shallow water to about 10-15m max. with clumps of weed over a boulder or rock bottom. During parts of the year they may be found guarding or even constructing their nests which are formed from weed bound together with "silk" extruded by the male. On occasion these nest may be more obvious than the fish themselves as they can be well camouflaged. The fish are 10-15cm in length and have 15 spines in the dorsal fin

Thought you recognised the shape of the head? Yes these are from the same family as the seahorse but their body is straight as opposed to being curled up. Eggs are held in a brood pouch or slit on the males stomach until they have fully developed. Specimens of these species have been seen particularly frequently during dives on the Moray coast during year 2000, rather more so than in previous years.

Snake pipefish (Entelerus aequoreus

Although normally found hiding in clumps of seaweed, individuals have been seen in the open pretending (unsuccessfully) to be a stalk of kelp. Length generally around 8-12" but larger specimens may also be found. Colour is very distinctive, particularly in the larger specimens which are mainly a bright orange with obvious stripes, sometimes of a bluish colour. Depths generally 10-15m or perhaps 20m.

A very well camouflaged fish that may be difficult for many to see even when pointed out. Length generally around 8-10" or slightly longer. A specimen has been seen blending in exceedingly well with the gravel bottom close to the wreckage of the "Prestonian" by Quarry Head.

A very small species less than 5cm in length, generally only spotted by the most observant divers and even then only by accident when attention is attracted by movement. It lives amongst the fronds of seaweed against which it is very well camouflaged. Local abundance is unclear for obvious reasons! Specimens have been seen at Rosehearty (when not carrying a camera)