Chitons

Chitons resemble woodlice in appearance & can be found normally under rocks in Rock-Pools. We have 3 different species ranging from 1cm to 4cm in size. We have only managed to identify one species. They browse on the algae in the aquarium.

Chiton, Lepidochitona cinerea

Unidentified Chiton

Unidentified Chiton & Long legged spider crab.

Sea Squirts

Fluted Sea Squirt, Ascidiella aspersa

We have several species of sea squirts in the aquarium, all of which have been collected from Poole Harbour. They are easy to keep & are fed on Sea snow which is sold to feed Marine corals.

Just one word of warning do not have Sea Urchins in the same aquarium, they readily consume the softer sea squirts. 

Yellow Ringed Sea Squirt, Coina intestinalis

Leathery Sea squirt, Styela clava

Red Sea Squirt, Ascidia mentula

Fluted Sea Squirts, Ascidiella aspersa

Cold Water Marine Aquarium

Here is our well established Cold Water Marine Aquarium.

Here you can see just a few of the marine creatures which can be found on the Dorset Coast.

Two Spot Gobies, Spider Crab, Hermit Crab, Snakelock Anemones, Beadlet, Anemones, Daisy Anemones, Strawberry Anemones & Prawns.

Osmington in December

Tide receding on a warm December day.

Had a trip to Osmington in Dorset, it was a mild December day at around 9 degrees.

The water temperature was 12 degrees.

The rock pools here vary from close to the shoreline with just rocks & boulders to further out being well inhabited with colourful varieties of seaweeds, see underwater video.

We found Hermit Crabs, Rockling, Shannys, Blennies, Strawberry Anemones, Beadlet Anemones, Gem Anemones, Snakelock Anemones, Cornish Sucker Fish, Worm Pipe Fish, Sea Slaters, Edible Crabs, Shore Crabs, Porcelian Crabs, Hippolyte varians Shrimps, Prawns & Chitons. 

One of two Cornish Sucker fish found.

Shanny

Rock Goby

Strawberry Anemone

Rock Goby

Gem Anemone