Three-bearded Rockling
Gaidropsarus vulgaris
Habitat: Rocky shore (early years) and rocky sea floor
Depth: 20-120m
Food: Shrimps, crabs, worms and small bottom dwelling fish
Length: Up to 50cm
Lifespan: Unknown
Conservation Status: Not Evaluated (NE)
This fish gets its name from the three sensory barbels around its nose and chin. Young three-bearded rocklings live in shallow coastal waters and can be found in rock pools. As they grow, they move to deeper water and hide among rocks. Older individuals take on a leopard-skin pattern of brown spots.