Shanny
Lipophrys pholis
Habitat: Rocky shore and rock pools
Depth: 0-8m
Food: Snails, barnacles, small shrimps and algae
Length: Up to 30cm
Lifespan: 15 years
Conservation Status: Least Concern (LC) 2011
The shanny is well suited to life between the tides. Large pectoral fins allow the shanny to crawl over rocks and its smooth skin helps when slithering into small cracks and crevices. It can cope with changing salinity and gulp air when oxygen levels in the pool run low. When the tide is in, the shanny eats barnacles by nipping off their feeding limbs as they trawl for food.