Feature Creature June 09

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Welcome to the feature creature page. Here you will find short articles on different marine creatures. A new article will be featured each month.

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FISH of the ROCK POOLS

Rock pools are home to a vast variety of creatures. Some spend their whole lives in this ever-changing habitat, some visit to feed, and some live out only their juvenile phase here. Fish species fall into all of the above categories.

Jumping Joey Blenny

When the tide is high and the rock platform is covered by water many ocean-going fish come in to eat the seaweeds and invertebrates. The Blackfish, for one, is a common visitor at these times as it likes to feast on the cabbage weed that grows on the rocks. Many other species use these areas as courting grounds before mating and laying their eggs.

Smooth Toadfish

Because of the myriad hiding places found in the intertidal zone rock platforms make a great place to live if you are a tiny, juvenile fish. Many species use these areas as nursery grounds where the babies can find more protection from larger predators in the crevices and among the seaweeds. Some small fish, however, like Gobies and Blennies, live out their entire life-cycle in the pools of the rock platforms.

Peacock Blenny

The fish of the rock pools are often quite difficult to see as they are very quick to move if they are disturbed and many are also camouflageds to blend in with their surroundings.

Frayed-fin Goby

When looking in our rock pools remember the three 'L's' - look at it, love it and leave it where it is, that way all of these wonderful creatures will be there the next time you visit.

Written by Jeannie Lawson

Photographs by Ivon Sebastian & Chris Roberts

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