Description: A small sea scorpion that only reaches around 8 cm. They can vary a lot in colour, often blending in with surroundings, although there is often a contrasting band of colour at the back of the head which can be pink, red or orange or a duller colour (although it is not always present). They have small spines at the sides of the mouth, these are not as long as those found in Taurulus bubalis, and they have small spines scattered over their body. There is a diagnostic row of larger spines running above the lateral line.

Habitat: Rocky habitats or wrecks, often seeming to prefer those exposed to tidal flow.

Distribution: True distribution unknown due to previous confusion with juvenile Taurulus bubalis. So far there are scattered records from Northern Ireland, Scotland and SE England, although it is likely to be much more common than previously thought.

Similar Species: Could be confused with small Taurulus bubalis although their mouth spines are longer and they do not have the row of spines above their lateral line.

Key Identification Features:

• Small sea scorpion reaching a maximum size of 8 cm.
• Small spines at side of mouth (smaller than T. bubalis).
• Row or larger spines running above lateral line.
• Often has a band of contrasting colour at the back of the head which can be bright (orange, pink or red), or dull coloured.

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

iNaturalist: Micrenophrys lilljeborgi at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.

WoRMS: Micrenophrys lilljeborgi at World Register of Marine Species. Accepted name: Micrenophrys lilljeborgii (Collett, 1875). AphiaID: 127201.

Classification: Biota; Animalia; Chordata; Vertebrata; Gnathostomata; Osteichthyes; Actinopterygii; Actinopteri; Teleostei; Perciformes; Cottoidei; Cottidae; Micrenophrys