60 THE ESSEX NATURALIST
Cylopteridae
Cyclopterus lumpus Linne Lump Sucker
Common in the spring and early summer. Taken inshore and
in trawl samples and also from the water intake of Bradwell
Power Station. Spawn also found attached to stones in the spring.
Liparidae
Liparis liparis (Linne) Sea Snail
Occasional records. Colne Bar, August 1964.
Gasterosteidae
Gasterosteus aculeatus (Linne) Three-spined Stickleback
Common in ditches inside the dykes and frequently seen on
the seaward side of drainage sluices.
Spinachia spinachia (Linne) Fifteen-spined Stickleback
Recorded as common in the Blackwater in 1888 (Cole). May
still be present in the brackish water areas but not recorded in
the recent investigations.
Order Heterosomata
Bothidae
Scophthalmus maximus (Linne) Turbot
One record from local fisherman.
Scophthalmus rhombus (Linne) Brill
Sometimes caught in the summer. One record from Swire Hole
(1962).
Zeugopterus punctatus (Bloch) Common Topknot
One caught in the Blackwater in 1960.
Pleuronectidae
Hippoglossoides limandoides (Day) Long Rough Dab
One specimen caught in the Blackwater in 1903 (Essex
Naturalist).
Limanda limanda (Linne) Dab
Commonly caught in trawl hauls during the summer.
Pleuronectes platessa Linne Plaice
Common and sometimes abundant during the summer.
Microstomus kitt (Walbaum) Lemon Sole
Occasional in summer.
Glyptocephalus cynoglossus (Linne) Witch
Recorded as very rare in the Blackwater in 1903 (Essex
Naturalist).
Platichthys flesus (Linne) Flounder
Present all the year round in most parts of the Blackwater but
particularly in creeks and in brackish water. Common and widely
distributed in the summer.