Fish

Contrary to popular belief there are many species of fish in the English Channel.  Many fish are very curious of the visiting diver and get very close.  Large shoals often don't move out of the way when swimming through them!!  Common species include:

Bib (aka pout or whiting)

Easily recognisable as they are one of the most abundant fish on this coast.  Small to medium sized, they have brown stripes running vertically along their bodies, and have a chin barbel.  They are very inquisitive of visiting divers and often don't move out of the way until the last minute!

Cod

Once a very abundant fish in winter months, over fishing has decimated the population and are now rarely seen. Easily recognised as their upper jaw juts out and they have a chin barbel.  They are mottled in colour.

Wrasse

Very abundant in UK waters and seen on almost every dive off Shoreham.  Easily recognisable with various species. 

Most common are Ballan Wrasse which are a mottled brown colour and quite a large fish.

The Cuckoo Wrasse is a very colourful example, with the males being bright blue in colour.  The females are a more sedate orange/brown colour with distinctive black markings on their back below the dorsal fin.  They are easily mistaken for the Goldsinny, which has a single black spot on their back and are much smaller.

Pollack

Distinctive silvery fish.  Have three dorsal and two anal fins that are quite triangular in shape.  Bottom jaw juts out.  Commonly seen on reef & rocky areas.

Bass

Highly prized, very large fish that are rarely seen.  Common in deeper water hiding in wrecks, bass are silver in colour.  They are keenly fished, but are very fast movers. Have been seen in shallower waters in recent years.

Red mullet

Small fish with red blotches true to its name.  Easily recognisable by the two long chin barbels that they use to forage for food in sandy areas.  Red mullet are bottom dwellers and are often seen in pairs or threes.

Blennies

Lots of varieties.  Bottom dwelling fish, they are often quite territorial to their home!  Common species seen is the Tompot Blenny, which is quite a cute-looking fish! Often seen in huge numbers on shallow wrecks defending their territory. Can be quite aggressive to anyone getting too near their home!

Flatfish

Again lots of varieties including the Plaice, Dover Sole, Lemon Sole, Flounder, Turbot, Skate and Topknot.  Usually very well camouflaged, they are sadly quite rarely seen due to the amount of fishing in previous years.  Plaice are probably the most likely spotted hiding on wrecks.

Conger eel

Very commonly found on deeper wrecks, congers can grow to huge sizes.  Commonly considered to be an aggressive species they can be very territorial but usually are just plain inquisitive!  The picture at the very top of the page was taken down at Horsea Island. 

Cuttlefish

A member of the cephalopod family, which includes the octopus, these unique creatures are commonly seen in local waters.  Their skin can change colour according to their mood and is a thrilling sight. Cuttlefish spawn in early summer and once the female has laid her eggs she dies.  At this time you'll see their white carapace bone floating on the surface in large numbers.

Flora

Soft corals such as Dead Mans Fingers.

Anemones such as Beadlet Anemone.

Sea Squirts such as Lightbulb Sea Squirt.

Kelp such as Sea Beech seaweed

Dead Man's Fingers © Sarah Iles 2006

Photos above courtesy of British Marine Life Study Societyociety

Sea Beech seaweed © Sarah Iles 2004

Common crustaceans/molluscs

Crabs including edible, spider & velvet-swimming.

Lobsters including common lobster & squat lobster.

Common prawn, sea snail, mussel, scallop, dog whelk, oyster, painted topshell........

Velvet-swimming crab

© Sarah Iles 2006