Biodiversity & Conservation

Bib or Pouting - Trisopterus luscus

Trisopterus luscus

Image Keith Hiscock - Trisopterus luscus in old ships funnel. Image width ca 1.5 m.
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Distribution map

Trisopterus luscus recorded (dark blue bullet) and expected (light blue bullet) distribution in Britain and Ireland (see below)

Why do the maps differ?

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Trisopterus luscus is not listed under any importance categories.

Taxonomy icon Taxonomy Taxon English term
Phylum Chordata Sea squirts, fish, reptiles, birds and mammals
Class Actinopterygii Ray-finned fish, e.g. sturgeon, eels, fin fish, gobies, blennies, and seahorses
Authority (Linnaeus, 1758)
Recent synonyms None
Map icon Recorded Distribution in Britain and Ireland Common around Britain and Ireland.
Habitat information icon Habitat information Found inshore and in coastal waters down to 300 m, Trisopterus luscus favour mixed rock and sand habitats. They are also often encountered in and around wrecks.
Text page icon Description A distinctive fish with a relatively deep body, deep coppery colour with 3 or 4 vertical pale bands and a long chin barbel. Adults are between 20-30 cm long, sometimes reaching a maximum of 45 cm in length. Trisopterus luscus has three dorsal fins set close together, the first dorsal fin being characteristically pointed when in an upright position. There are also 2 anal fins, the first has its origin under the middle of the first dorsal fin. At the base of the pectoral fin is a black mark, approximately the size of the eye. The pelvic fins are long and flexible. The upper jaw is longer than the lower jaw. Older, adult individuals may be completely dark brown, having lost their banding.
Identifying features
  • Deep coppery colour with 3 or 4 vertical pale bands.
  • Long chin barbel.
  • Three dorsal fins and 2 anal fins.
  • First dorsal fin sharply pointed.
  • Relatively deep body.
  • Black mark at base of pectoral fin.
  • Often between 20-30 cm long.
Additional information icon Additional information Trisopterus luscus may be confused with Trisopterus minutus (poor cod). However, Trisopterus minutus can be distinguished by its plain colour and narrower body. The haddock Melanogrammus aeglefinus is another similar looking species as it also has a pointed first dorsal fin, however it is differently coloured and has a shorter chin barbel.

This review can be cited as follows:

Susie Ballerstedt 2008. Trisopterus luscus. Bib or Pouting. Marine Life Information Network: Biology and Sensitivity Key Information Sub-programme [on-line]. Plymouth: Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom. [cited 22/05/2013]. Available from: <http://www.marlin.ac.uk/speciesinformation.php?speciesID=4506>