This section provides information on the many non-fish species which are present in the seas around the British Isles. While none of these species are targeted by UK anglers (although crabs and lobsters can be inadvertently caught), they do make up an important part of Britain’s marine eco-system. Shellfish species and worm and other species which are commonly used as bait are not featured here, although there is a section on shellfish as bait on this website. Similarly, there is additional information on squid and cuttlefish and their uses as bait and a section on crabs as bait as well.

Crab and Lobster Species

• Common Shore Crab
• Brown Crab
• Velvet Swimming Crab
• Common Hermit Crab
• European Spider Crab
• Common Lobster
• Squat Lobster
• Plated Squat Lobster
• Chinese Mitten Crab
• Other Crab and Lobster Species

Squid and Cuttlefish

• European Squid
• Common Squid
• Common Cuttlefish
• Atlantic Bobtail

Starfish Species

• Common Starfish
• Common Brittlestar
• Common Sunstar
• Spiny Starfish
• Bloody Henry
• Black Brittle Star
• Sand Star

Sea Horse Species

• Long Snouted and Short Snouted Seahorse

Prawns and Shrimps

• Common Prawn
• Brown Shrimp

Octopus Species

• Common Octopus
• Lesser Octopus

Jellyfish Species

• Common Jellyfish
• By-the-Wind Sailor
• Lion’s Mane Jellyfish
• Portuguese Man-O’-War
• Mauve Stinger Jellyfish
• Other Jellyfish Species

Other Sea Creatures

• Common Sea Urchin
• Beadlet Anenome
• Lightbulb Sea Squirt
• Football Sea Squirt
• Gravel Sea Cucumber
• Devonshire Cup Coral
• Dead Man’s Fingers
• Rosy Feather Star
• Violet Sea Snail
• Sea Slater
• Sand Hopper
• Common Sea Slug
• Springtail
• Green Leaf Worm
• Lancelet
• Bootlace Worm