UK Seas
Discover the wonderful sea creatures that inhabit the UK seas and shores
UK seas is a guide to the fauna and flora found around UK coasts. While the majority of species are marine, some species are included that are regularly encountered on land by the coast, so you’ll find descriptions of non-marine species such as reptiles, amphibians, insects and plants as well.
Corkwing wrasse
Crenilabrus melops
Type
Fish
Description
This small wrasse has stripy cheeks, a dark smudge behind the eyes and a distinguishing spot on the tail. Wrasse are chequered brown but breeding males are flecked with electric blue and red spots.
Males become ferociously protective over the females’ eggs once they are hidden in his nest.
Location
Found all around the UK in very shallow water, you can often spot the young in rock pools.
Habitat
Rocky shore, Rock pools, Subtidal