Goby fish makes Wales debut in scallop survey
A fish normally found in Scandinavian waters has been spotted for the first time in Wales.
The diminutive goby was spotted during a survey of the scallop population off Skomer island, Pembrokeshire.
Researchers put pictures of the 4cm-long (1.5in) fish on an international database and they were identified by experts in Sweden and Norway.
The survey, the fourth in 16 years, was undertaken by 35 divers in June and July and recorded 1,000 scallops.
The diminutive goby (Lebetus scorpioides) is considered by some to be a strikingly attractive fish.
The male is red in colour and has a distinctive white dorsal fin.
Skomer marine nature reserve is managed by the Countryside Council for Wales.
Assistant marine reserve officer Kate Lock said the survey had helped the council develop a good picture of the health of the sediment habitat and scallop population in the reserve.
She said: "The data that the volunteer divers collect is incredibly important.
"Finding the gobi bach [little gobi] was just reward for all the hard work."