2 Common dragonet ( Callionymus lyra ) – there is a small dragonet in the top-left of the photo . As they dart round the seabed , small dragonets can be mistaken for gobies but they have a distinctive triangular head when seen from above .
5 Sea strawberry sea squirt ( Aplidium elegans ) – colonies of this species , seen just to the right of the goby , are very distinctive . The smaller holes with a white frill around them are where they pump water in , and the larger holes are where the water leaves after plankton has been filtered out .
3 Jewel anemone ( Corynactis viridis ) – small groups in a variety of colours are scattered over the seabed but they are not at their spectacular best here . The seabed of boulders does not support large expanses of anemones and diving at slack water ( as you need to do here *) means that many of them are closed or partially withdrawn .
4 Painted top-shell ( Calliostoma zizyphinum ) – there is one immediately in front of the Sea strawberry sea squirt colony and they are abundant here , feeding on the rich growths of sponge . This one has an unusually dirty shell ; they generally keep their shell spotless by wiping it with an extendable foot and the material they collect is thought to contribute to the animal ’ s nutrition . Perhaps the plentiful food supply in the area has caused this slovenly behaviour !
6 Polycera nudibranch ( Polycera sp .) – on the seaweed , just behind the goby ’ s head is this small white sea slug with yellow markings . The image is much too poor to be certain of the species , but these nudibranchs are common in Plymouth Sound , where they feed on the plentiful bryozoans .
2 Common dragonet ( Callionymus lyra ) – there is a small dragonet in the top-left of the photo . As they dart round the seabed , small dragonets can be mistaken for gobies but they have a distinctive triangular head when seen from above .
5 Sea strawberry sea squirt ( Aplidium elegans ) – colonies of this species , seen just to the right of the goby , are very distinctive . The smaller holes with a white frill around them are where they pump water in , and the larger holes are where the water leaves after plankton has been filtered out .
3 Jewel anemone ( Corynactis viridis ) – small groups in a variety of colours are scattered over the seabed but they are not at their spectacular best here . The seabed of boulders does not support large expanses of anemones and diving at slack water ( as you need to do here *) means that many of them are closed or partially withdrawn .
4 Painted top-shell ( Calliostoma zizyphinum ) – there is one immediately in front of the Sea strawberry sea squirt colony and they are abundant here , feeding on the rich growths of sponge . This one has an unusually dirty shell ; they generally keep their shell spotless by wiping it with an extendable foot and the material they collect is thought to contribute to the animal ’ s nutrition . Perhaps the plentiful food supply in the area has caused this slovenly behaviour !
6 Polycera nudibranch ( Polycera sp .) – on the seaweed , just behind the goby ’ s head is this small white sea slug with yellow markings . The image is much too poor to be certain of the species , but these nudibranchs are common in Plymouth Sound , where they feed on the plentiful bryozoans .
Aside from these obvious animals , there is a plethora of different sponges , sea squirts , bryozoans and more , all supported by the planktonic food swept in by strong tidal currents . It is a special place and very deserving of a closer look , not just via photographs after the dive !
■ As well as checking your tide tables , don ’ t forget to contact Port Control ( Longroom ) before diving . �
Paul ’ s photos and video clips capturing UK marine life stories are on Instagram @ paulnaylormarinephoto
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