A NATIONALLY rare fish spotted by a diver in Poole Bay is only the fifth Couch’s goby seen off the Dorset coast in four years.

Gobius couchi is a protected species and was photographed by Suzanne Munnelly while on a Seasearch wildlife survey.

“Shoals of bib and sometimes pollack can be found on these reefs, making them quite popular with anglers,” said Kathryn Dawson, Dorset Wildlife Trust’s Seasearch co-ordinator.

“It’s usual to find black gobies but it’s very exciting to see a Couch’s goby. This is a great way to end this season’s dives.”

The species has only been recorded in a handful of places around Britain including Cornwall, northwest Ireland and in very sheltered areas in the south of Ireland.

It grows up to 9cm long and feeds on algae, small worms and crustaceans. Due to its rarity it is classified as fully protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act.