Ciliata mustela - Rockling
The five-bearded rockling, Ciliata mustela, is the
most common of the rocklings found off the Welsh coast. The number of
barbels (beards!) is the key to identification.
Rockling are of no commercial importance but they are an
important source of food for other larger fish. You will find shore
rockling, Gaidropsarus mediterraneus, in shallow, rocky waters;
they can reach 25 cm in length, but 10 to 15 cm is more usual.
The three-bearded rockling, Gaidropsarus vulgaris,
is the largest of the rockling species found in Welsh waters and can grow
to a length of 40 cm.
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