Paul Naylor showcases the diversity of one of Scotland’ s fabled shore diving sites
UKDIVING CRITTERCONFIDENTIAL
A microcosm of biodiversity: Butterfish, prawn, starfish and soft coral in a tiny area of seabed
On the Spot in Loch Carron
Paul Naylor showcases the diversity of one of Scotland’ s fabled shore diving sites
I
’ m back in Scotland’ s Loch Carron for my latest‘ On the spot’ piece where I look at the marine animal species you can see in a single photograph. The images I use for these articles typically cover at least a square metre or two of seabed. This one shows a much smaller area, so it really is a‘ spot’ and reflects the wonderful biodiversity here, at one of the very best shore diving locations in the UK.
A particularly impressive and well-fed Common Starfish in Loch Carron
Common starfish( Asterias rubens) – The starfish in the main photo was a typical size for this species, about 20cm across, but I often see real monsters here, easily double that diameter and particularly plump. Their prey, particularly molluscs, must be abundant. In turn, doubtless many of the smaller starfish individuals fall victim to common sunstars( Crossaster papposus) that also thrive here.
Butterfish( Pholis gunnellus) – One of the delights( among many) of diving here is watching these charismatic little fish hunting for food. They roam snake-like over the seabed, stopping to investigate clumps of featherstars or hydroids for small invertebrates. They will also, and it’ s the only place that I’ ve seen this, stalk crabs to pounce on anything that the relatively clumsy crustaceans disturb as they walk. On one memorable occasion, a pair of butterfish( I think a male and female) were working in tandem as they followed a shore crab. I was particularly impressed with how the odd kick from the crab did nothing to deter them from their quest.
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