Coddy

Identification: Elongated body with lateral compression. The snout is blunt and steep, with two long mobile barbels present on the chin of the lower jaw, and that maybe folded back into a grove on the underside of the fish. The upper jaw lacks teeth, and the cheeks have two rows of scales, above the low set mouth. The eyes are located in the top third of the head. The tail fin is deeply forked. Two dorsal fins present. The anterior dorsal fin has seven or eight membrane bound flexible spines, that are separate from the second dorsal fin, which is composed of one spine and seven to eight branched soft rays. The anal fin is very similar in shape to the second dorsal fin. The large scales of the head and body are easily detached and lost. Considerable changes in colouration occur depending upon the situation, such as the time of day, stress, condition of the fish, etc. The norm is that of a pink or reddish colour, with three or four yellow stripes running lengthwise along the sides, with a reddish brown stripe marking the lateral line. The belly is pale to white. Brown and yellow banding is to be seen on the anterior dorsal fin, and to a slight extent upon the second as well. The yellow banding of the sides tends to become mottled during the hours of darkness, and more overall yellow hue is taken on by the body. Breeding: Spawns over May through into July, with juveniles being surface feeders until they migrate down to the seafloor. Habitat: This bottom dwelling fish is to be found over sands and muds in small shoals, and favours inshore waters during the summer months, although it is not uncommon in rocky areas. Food: Uses it's barbels to search and locate benthic invertebrates such as crustaceans, worms, and molluscs, along with the occasional small fish. Range: Found throughout UK waters. Additional Notes: Mullus barbatus may, or may not be a separate species, but is rarer, and one of it's chief characteristics is that it lacks the yellow bands of Mullus surmuletus and only grows to about 30cm or so. It is to be found offshore, has shorter barbels, and occurs only rarely in the SW waters of the UK.

Also know as: Bullhead, Short-spined Sea Scorpion, Bull-Rout, Rockfish, Clobberhead, Father-Lasher, Scorpionfish, Rock Sculpin, Short-horned Sculpin, Granny Fish Size: up to 18 inches in length and 2-3lbs, but most much smaller than this UK minimum size: 8ins/20cm UK shore caught record: 2lb 7oz Feeds on: Anything it can find including fish the same size as itself.Description: Small squat fish with very large head and mouth relative to its body size. Rest of scaleless body is thin and tapering. Two spiky dorsal fins with no gap between them. Spines on gill covers and head and small spikes running down the lateral line. Usually mottled brown/green in colour, but colour can vary greatly between fish. Belly is usually red in males and orange in females. The main species of sea scorpion found in UK waters is commonly called a bullhead or short-spined sea scorpion (Myoxocephalus scorpius). This species can be found in rocky ground, but also over sandy and muddy seabeds in depths down to fifty metres or so. It is an aggressive predator which feeds on fish, prawns, crustaceans or any other small marine animals which pass. It does not hunt prey as such but feeds as an ambush predator, waiting for prey to come past and then snapping at them. Its large mouth and fast digestive system (it can digest its own body weight in around an hour) allows it to feed on fish the same size as itself. Second Species of Sea Scorpion in UK Waters The other species of sea scorpion found in the UK is the long-spined sea scorpion (Taurulus bubalis). This species looks very similar to its bigger cousin but only grows to a maximum length of seven inches. It has two longer spines on each gill cover whereas Myoxocephalus scorpius has a higher number of shorter spines. A further difference is that the short spined has barbels on the edge of its mouth and these are absent on the long-spined. Angling for Sea Scorpion and Value to Humans Anglers do not target sea scorpion as such but they are often caught on bait meant for other species. They can take surprisingly large baits, including big squid and fish baits meant for cod! Sea scorpions are present in UK waters all year round but are caught slightly more often in summer when they come into shallower water and feed more actively. Smaller sea scorpions are often found trapped in rockpools by the outgoing tide. Like sharks, rays, mackerel and tuna the sea scorpion has no swim bladder and sinks as soon as it stops actively swimming. Due to their small size, unusual appearance and spines sea scorpions have absolutely no commercial value at all. They are, however, popular to keep in marine aquariums due to their striking appearance and aggressive behaviour when feeding.