Fishes

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Fish schools and individual fish can often be seen swimming around, within or sheltering on shipwreck structures in Welsh waters. Wrecks provide complex structures in sometimes structurally uniform natural habitats, and so provide good areas for shelter from predators and unfavourable sea conditions. This is illustrated by wrecks being popular locations for recreational fishing activities in Welsh waters and the UK as a whole.

Bib or Pouting Trisopterus luscus

Bib are one of most well-known inhabitants of shipwrecks and are commonly seen. They are often swimming in schools around and within the wreck structures. They are a member of the cod family and are usually easily recognised by the 3 – 4 pale bands down the body. When this colouration is not clear the deep body, long chin barbel and the dark spot at the base of the pectoral fin are helpful features to observe.

Pollack Pollachius pollachius

Pollack are a member of the cod family and are recognised by the longer lower jaw, curved lateral line and no chin barbel. They can be found in small groups and schools. However, large solitary individuals can often be seen around and inside wrecks, sometimes with schools of bib.

Tompot blenny Parablennius gattorugine

This is an inquisitive member of the blenny family which has two branched tentacles between the eyes and prominent large upper lip. It is often brown coloured with brown bars extending into the single dorsal fin. The Tompot blenny is commonly seen wedged in gaps, sitting on ledges or by under hangs. One was spotted at home in a crevice of the main winch on the Cartagena shipwreck in 2018.