Description: This species is fairly large, reaching 30 cm or more in length, and is probably the most commonly encountered of the rocklings. It has five barbels on its face. Colouration is usually a plain dark brown or mottled dark brown, although occasionally they may be so dark in colour that they appear almost black. This species does not have frilly skin lobes protruding from its upper lip, which is a key feature that distinguishes it from Ciliata septentrionalis the only other rockling here that has five chin barbels.

Habitat: Found from rockpools in the intertidal down to 60 m; and occurs on a wide range of substrata. Juvenile fish are commonly found in rockpools.

Distribution: Found all around Britain and Ireland.

Similar Species: Could be confused with other rocklings, especially Ciliata septentrionalis, which also has five barbels, but it usually has a distinctive copper colouration and additional skin flaps on its face. Ciliata septentrionalis is also highly unlikely to be found intertidally so this may help distinguish in certain instances. The other species of rocklings have 3 or 4 barbels.

Key Identification Features:

• Five barbels.
• Usually plain dark brown to mottled brown.
• No frilly skin lobes on upper lip.

Distribution Map from NBN: Ciliata mustela at National Biodiversity Network mapping facility, data for UK.

iNaturalist: Ciliata mustela at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.

GBIF data for Ciliata mustela

WoRMS: Ciliata mustela at World Register of Marine Species. Accepted name: Ciliata mustela (Linnaeus, 1758). AphiaID: 126448.

Classification: Biota; Animalia; Chordata; Vertebrata; Gnathostomata; Osteichthyes; Actinopterygii; Actinopteri; Teleostei; Gadiformes; Lotidae; Ciliata