Extract Europe and Mediterranean marine fish identification guide - Éditions Ulmer

Patrick Louisy

Europe and Mediterranean

MARINE FISH IDENTIFICATION GUIDE 880 SPECIES

1 480 PHOTOS

1440 DRAWINGS

4th N EDITaItOed upd

Bottom Dwellers Whitespotted rockling have a distinctive colour pattern ( Azores, WIP; Azores, IGS).

Azores rockling

Gaidropsarus granti (Regan, 1903) - Lotidae A rare, or deepwater species. (1) A pale undulating band along back. Three barbels.

Brown blotches on body and fins, merging on the back. Size: 30-38 cm. Depth: 20-50 (360) m. Seemingly on hard substrates. Azores and Canary Islands; 3 records in the Mediterranean, between 250 and 360 m depth: Rhodes, Ligurian Sea and Sardinia.

Mediterranean bigeye rockling

Gaidropsarus biscayensis (Bini, 1971) (= Antonogadus megalokynodon) - Lotidae A Mediterranean deep-water species, which validity is debated. (1) A pair of fangs on upper jaw. (2) Three barbels. On average, lower ray counts in dorsal and anal fins than G. macrophthalmus. Some scientist consider that these two should be considered the same species, which seems to be confirmed by genetic works. Size: 18-40 cm.

Depth: 80-600 m. Western and North-Eastern Mediterranean; Atlantic coasts from Galicia (Spain) to Morocco.

Four-bearded rockling are quite easy to identify thanks to their very long dorsal ray and to their black spot on rear dorsal fin ( Sweden, SAA; Norway, SVR).

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Two dorsal fins Whitespotted rockling Gaidropsarus guttatus (Collet, 1890) Lotidae

Gaidropsarus guttatus

Size 20-25 cm (28 cm)

Depth 0-5 m (14 m)

Identification criteria: (1) Three barbels. (2) Body grey-brown with distinct white spots.

Supplementary description: First dorsal fin vibratile, constituted of short filamentous rays set in a groove; first ray longer than eye diameter. The white spots are clearly defined and regularly scattered, including on fins.

Habitat and behaviour: This species is encountered along rocky shores, including in intertidal pools. It has been observed in a submarine cave in the Azores. Quite a rare species.

Approach: Usually found accidentally, it quickly hides or escapes.

Possible confusion: With the Shore rockling (above), which may sometimes also have pale blotches, but more diffuse, poorly-defined.

Bigeye rockling

Gaidropsarus macrophtalmus (Günther, 1867) (= Antonogadus macrophtalmus) Lotidae An Atlantic deep-water species. (1) Upper jaw with 2 to 4 fangs. (2) Three barbels.

Eye quite big. Beige to reddish-brown. Irregular blotches, more visible on back.

Size: 20-35 cm. Depth: 70-700 m. On soft bottoms. Off the British Isles, Bay of Biscay, most probably also in the Mediterranean (see G. biscayensis).

Related species: The Arctic rockling (Gaidropsarus argentatus) lives even deeper, off Norway; first ray of first dorsal fin twice as long as eye diameter.

A Bigeye rockling caught in the Mediterranean (Gulf of Lion, 70 m, IGS).

Four-bearded rockling

Enchelyopus cimbrius (Linnaeus, 1766) (= Rhinonemus cimbrius) - Lotidae

Enchelyopus cimbrius

Size 30-44 cm

Depth 20-650 m

Identification criteria: (1) 4 barbels. (2) First ray of first dorsal fin very long. (3) Often a black blotch at hind end of 2nd dorsal fin.

Supplementary description: Eyes quite big, with a large pupil. One barbel on chin, one on each anterior nostril, and a median one on upper jaw. Body usually a quite uniform grey-brown. Posterior dorsal fin blotch sometimes faint, sometimes very prominent (especially in young). Rear anal fin and lower part of tail also often marked with black.

Habitat and behaviour: Usually lives on mud or sand, between patches of hard substrate or in more open sedimentary grounds.

Possible confusion: This species has quite a typical aspect, and the above identification criteria allow for an easy distinction from other rocklings.

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Bottom Dwellers Often a plain brown, Five-bearded rockling can sometimes be faintly spotted ( & Brittany, in aquarium, LOP).

Northern rockling can be identified by their large mouth with additional skin appendages on snout (Norway; SVR, BRL).

The Tadpole fish is quite a shy animal ( Zeeland, Netherlands, NEJ); when it shows up in front of divers, it is most often because it is in poor condition ( Strait of Dover, MAV).

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Two dorsal fins Five-bearded rockling Ciliata mustela (Linnaeus, 1758) Lotidae

Ciliata mustela

Ciliata septentrionalis (Collet, 1875) Lotidae

Size 15-20 cm

Depth 9-90 m.

Identification criteria: (1) Five barbels, and a series of small appendages on the upper jaw skin fold. (2) Large, widely split mouth.

Supplementary description: One chin barbel and four on the snout. First dorsal fin vibratile, constituted by filamentous short rays in a groove; first ray longer than eye diameter. Background colour a light to dark brown-chocolate sometimes reddish, usually plain but occasionally mottled on back.

Habitat and behaviour: This rockling seems to live mostly on sedimentary, muddy or sandy bottoms. It is never found in truly littoral habitats.

Possible confusion: Five-bearded rockling (above) have a proportionally shorter snout.

Tadpole fish (= Lesser forkbeard) Raniceps raninus (Linnaeus, 1758) Gadidae

Raniceps raninus

Depth 1-25 m.

(0-60 m)

Identification criteria: (1) Five barbels. (2) Body dark, sometimes with small pale blotches.

Supplementary description: One chin barbel and four on snout. First dorsal fin vibratile, made of filamentous short rays in a groove; first ray longer than eye diameter.

Background colour brown-chocolate sometimes more or less reddish, belly paler.

Habitat and behaviour: Rocky bottoms, rocks and rubble covered with seaweed, but also on sedimentary habitats (adults). Young can be abundant in the intertidal zone. Very discreet and rather nocturnal.

Approach: Occasionally encountered in crevices, or under stones at low tide; can escape very fast.

Possible confusion: Mainly with the Northern rockling (below), which has small supplementary appendages on upper lip.

Northern rockling

Ciliata septentrionalis

Size 25-30 cm (45 cm)

Size 20-25 cm (30 cm)

Depth 5-20 m.

(0-100 m)

Identification criteria: (1) One chin barbel. (2) Broad rounded head. (3) First dorsal fin very small, with three rays.

Supplementary description: Very large mouth with a prominent snout. Eyes set well forwards. Pelvic fins relatively short and not filamentous. Uniformly brown colour.

Habitat and behaviour: In rocky habitats with lots of shelters (cracks, rubble); wrecks.

Young sometimes in the intertidal zone. Very discreet and rather nocturnal. Occasionally to rarely encountered.

Approach: Rarely observed by divers; only sick or injured individuals may be seen in the open.

Possible confusion: Forkbeards (pp 214-215) have long filamentous pelvic fins. Torsk (p. 155) have only one dorsal fin, and a smaller head.

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Bottom Dwellers The Rock goby usually is brown with light speckling ( Plestin, Brittany, LOP); during the night, its colouration may change considerably ( Calvi, Corsica, LOP).

Usually a greenish grey in the Mediterranean ( Banyuls, Gulf of Lion, LOP) Giant goby may be more yellowish in the Channel ( Plougrescant, Brittany, LOP).

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Two dorsal fins Rock goby

Gobius paganellus Linnaeus, 1758 Gobiidae

Size 8-10 cm (12 cm)

Depth 0-3 m (15 m)

Identification criteria: (1) Upper part of pectoral fin with a tuft of filamentous rays. (2) Nape completely scaled. (3) First dorsal fin edged yellowish to orange.

Supplementary description: Head stout, lips thick. Variable in colour, from beige to brownish (photos). Often with a pale bar below eye. Juveniles with a blue-grey blotch on rear part of first dorsal fin. Breeding males blackish with pale edged fins.

Habitat and behaviour: In rocky habitats, possibly with sediment deposits. Often in theintertidal zone, particularly among rocks covered with algae. An abundant species.

Approach: Easy to approach, but takes shelter in the nearest hole if frightened.

Gobius paganellus

Facing page: Depending on its mood or environment, the Rock goby may become very pale ( Linosa, Strait of Sicily, LOP).

Gulf of Lion, LOP) or display contrasting speckles (

Cerbère,

Madeira goby

Mauligobius maderensis (Valenciennes, 1837) - Gobiidae A rather large goby from subtropical Atlantic islands. (1) Numerous white speckles, especially conspicuous on dark patches.

Wide dark bars, sometimes faint.

Size: 10-15 cm. Depth: 0-3 m.

Rocky shores, especially in tide pools. Madeira and Canary Islands.

Possible confusion: In Giant goby (absent from Macaronesian islands) the forehead looks more flat above eyes. The Rock goby has a yellow-orange edge on first dorsal fin.

Two colour patterns of Madeira goby (Canaries, ROK).

Giant goby

Gobius cobitis Pallas, 1811 Gobiidae

Gobius cobitis

Size 20-25 cm (30 cm)

Depth 0-3 m (35 m)

Identification criteria: (1) Large, sturdy head; profile not very rounded. (2) Large dark patches speckled wit small light spots.

Supplementary description: Lips thick; nape scaled. A tuft of filamentous rays on pectoral fin. Usually grey-beige, with blackish mottling; sometimes yellowish or caramel (individuals found in the English Channel for example). Breeding males blackish.

Habitat and behaviour: Hard substrates (rocks, shingle…) in sheltered habitats. Also found in pools, sometimes quite high in the intertidal zone. A common species.

Approach: Often wary, takes refuge in the nearest hole if frightened.

Possible misidentification: Possibly with Rock goby (above), which are found in the same habitat.

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Bottom Dwellers Male Black goby may be a mottled brown to jet black depending on excitement level ( Thau Lagoon, Gulf of Lion, LOP; in aquarium, LOP).

The first dorsal fin is rather triangular in female Roule’s gobies ( Cerbère, golfe du Lion, LOP), greatly pointed in males ( in territorial colour pattern, Cres, Croatie, PIR), but without a black blotch.

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Two dorsal fins Black goby

Gobius niger Linnaeus, 1758 (= G. jozo) - Gobiidae

Size 12-15 cm (18 cm)

Depth 0-10 m (84 m)

Identification criteria: (1) Nape scaled. (2) First dorsal fin pointed in adults (second and third rays longer), taller in males. (3) Usually a dark blotch on anterior part of first dorsal fin.

Supplementary description: Eyes set close and forwards. Upper pectoral free rays not much developed. Highly variable mottled pattern (photos). Sides with a line of black spots (usually grouped in threes) superimposed on a row of dark blotches (three of them below second dorsal fin). Breeding males dark, sometimes intense black.

Habitat and behaviour: On sandy-muddy bottoms and sea-grass beds. Mainly in brackish and polluted waters (lagoons, harbours, estuaries), where it is often abundant.

Note: Some consider there are two sub-species, one Atlantic and one Mediterranean.

Gobius niger

Adult females typically have a mottled pattern, and a pointed first dorsal fin (Thau Lagoon, Gulf of Lion, LOP).

With their rounded first dorsal fin and their common-looking colouration, young are difficult to identify (Thau Lagoon, LOP).

Bellotti’s goby

Gobius ater Bellotti, 1888 - Gobiidae Nothing is known of this goby when alive! (1) Big eyes. (2) First dorsal fin with a narrow pale margin.

Resembles Rock goby (previous page) but has less scales along body (38-40 vs. 46-59). Pectoral fins with a tuft of filamentous rays. Overall brown colour (dead specimens); poorly-defined dark mark on pectoral fin base. Size: 5-7.1 cm. Depth: 1-10 m. A very littoral species, mostly caught in seagrass meadows. Recorded in Balearic Islands, Provence, Sardinia, Malta, Croatia, Greece…

This exceptional photo could possibly depict Gobius ater (Marseille, Gulf of Lion, LBS), but this remains to be confirmed; further photo-records would thus be very useful (see p. 17).

Roule’s goby

Gobius roulei De Buen, 1928 - Gobiidae

Size 6-8 cm (9 cm)

Depth 3-20 m (1-300 m)

Identification criteria: (1) First dorsal fin somewhat triangular, greatly pointed in males (3rd and 4th rays longer), less so in young. (2) A pattern of alternate white and brown segments on the first ray of each dorsal fin. (3) A midlateral series of blackish dots.

Supplementary description: No scales on nape. One spine and 11 soft rays in 2nd dorsal fin (D2 I+11). Sandy colour with mottling; often a series of dusky blotches. No dark blotch on first dorsal fin. Breeding males light greyish with lower fins dusky.

Habitat and behaviour: Sandy areas with shelters (shells, stones) and vicinity of seagrass beds (in unpolluted waters). The ecology and distribution of this goby remain badly known. Your observations can be of foremost interest (see p. 17)!

Possible misidentification: With Black goby (above), which grows larger and is often found in confined or polluted habitats. Also with Steven’s goby (p. 303), which first dorsal fin is not triangular nor pointed.

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Bottom Dwellers Couch’s goby has been described from the British Isles ( Southern England, BLI) but it is also present in the Mediterranean ( Port Vendres, Gulf of Lion, LOP; a pair with the male in the foreground).

Adult Red-mouthed goby are easy to identify, provided that you have a torch to highlight their red lips (Banyuls, Gulf of Lion, LOP).

Young can be much more difficult to discriminate, sometimes up to 8 cm length (Cerbère, Gulf of Lion, LOP).

Small juveniles swim above the substrate until a size of 3-4 cm; first completely translucent, they progressively develop a speckled pattern (Bonifacio, Corsica, LOP).

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Two dorsal fins Couch’s goby

Gobius couchi Miller & El-Tawil, 1974 Gobiidae

Size 7-9 cm

Depth 0-15 m (20 m)

Identification criteria: (1) A dark spot on rear angle of mouth, followed by two rectangular blotches. (2) A lateral row of well defined black dots superimposed on a series of dark lateral blotches. (3) Rays of first dorsal fin slightly prominent, filamentous in males.

Supplementary description: Nape scaled. Background colour beige grey on back, whitish on belly; body speckled with white and dark spots. Side blotches often faded.

Sometimes a black blotch, deeper than long, on pectoral fin base.

Habitat and behaviour: Found in extremely sheltered to moderately exposed areas on sedimentary substrate, usually with shelters such as rocks, wreckage or seagrass. Your observations may help better understanding this species’ ecology and distribution (see p. 17).

Possible misidentification: Can be confused with Black goby (previous page) and several gobies living in sandy or mixed habitats.

Red-mouthed goby

Gobius cruentatus Gmelin, 1789 (= Gobius strictus) Gobiidae

Gobius cruentatus

Size 13-15 cm (18 cm)

Depth 10-30 m (1-40 m)

Identification criteria: (1) Lips vermilion, red markings on head. (2) A series of large squarrish blotches along side. (3) 3-4 narrow pales blotches along back.

Supplementary description: Adults with a stout body and a rather deep head. Scales on nape, cheeks and gill-cover. Well visible black rows of sensory papillae on head.

Upper pectoral free rays short. Overall colour mottled, usually quite dark. Young more slender, caramel-beige, slightly mottled or speckled, difficult to identify.

Habitat and behaviour: Lives on hard bottoms, sometimes mixed with sediments, and occasionally in Posidonia seagrass meadows. Typically found solitary on a flat area (often sand) next to a cavity used as a shelter. Young more littoral, in various micro-habitats.

A common species.

Approach: Easy enough to approach, but reacts immediately to any awkward move.

Since this goby is found quite deep, its red markings cannot be seen in the bluish surrounding light. An electric lamp may prove useful to identify it.

Possible misidentification: Young living on the substrate (up to 6-8 cm) may be confused with other medium-sized slender gobies: Bucchich’s, Incognito or Slender goby (next page), Sarato’s or yellow-headed goby (p. 301). Small juveniles, which swim above the bottom, may resemble some Pomatoschistus species. The opposite photos of juveniles, for instance, were wrongly identified as Pomatoschistus knerii in a previous edition… However, Pomatoschistus species never have more than 12 soft rays in the second dorsal fin (D2 I+8-12) while G. cruentatus always have 14 (D2 I+14).

Note: It has been shown that the specimens described as Schmidt’s goby (Gobius strictus Fage, 1907) were juvenile G. cruentatus.

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Comprehensiveness This identification guide includes all the marine fish species that may be encountered in coastal waters of Western Europe and the Mediterranean up to 50 m depth.

Richness of illustration It offers the vastest iconography ever gathered on marine fish of the area: not only a profuse collection of photographs, but also line drawings illustrating the key distinctive features of each species.

A simple and yet rigorous approach Although scientifically rigorous, this book focuses on simple visual criteria to identify fish in their environment. Fishermen and amateur divers will enjoy it as much as students or scientists!

This updated edition includes lots of recent information on European and Mediterranean fish, as evidenced by 20 new species, more than 50 distribution maps updated, over 40 new drawings and 30 additional photos...

And significant work has been done on the relevance and reliability of the identification criteria, making it possible to differentiate a number of species that remained previously hardly distinguishable.

The author Doctor in Biological Oceanology, professional aquarist and underwater photographer, Patrick Louisy is a leading expert in fish visual identification. He has published more than 30 books and countless popularisation articles about fish, marine environment and diving. He is presently scientific manager of the French scientific association Peau-Bleue, and correspondent researcher in the French National Museum of Natural History.

ISBN : 978-2-37922-268-9

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