Description: This is the largest of our rocklings, reaching a maximum size of 60 cm in length, although it is more commonly around 25 cm. This rockling has a very distinctive colouration featuring dark brown blotches or rings on a light brown to pale pink background, which immediately distinguishes it from the other rockling species in Britain and Ireland. It has three barbels on its head.

Habitat: Found on a range of substrate from the shallow subtidal to 120 m.

Distribution: Recorded all around Britain and Ireland.

Similar Species: The distinctive colouration and large size should make these species easy to distinguish from others.

Key Identification Features:

• Three barbels.
• Distinctive colouration of dark brown blotches on a light brown to pale pink background.
• Large size, reaching up to 60 cm.

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

iNaturalist: Gaidropsarus vulgaris at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.

GBIF data for Gaidropsarus vulgaris

WoRMS: Gaidropsarus vulgaris at World Register of Marine Species. Accepted name: Gaidropsarus vulgaris (Cloquet, 1824). AphiaID: 126458.

Classification: Biota; Animalia; Chordata; Vertebrata; Gnathostomata; Osteichthyes; Actinopterygii; Actinopteri; Teleostei; Gadiformes; Gaidropsaridae; Gaidropsarus