Butterfish or gunnel. It has a long, slender, eel-like body which is flattened from side to side. The skin is very slippery, making it difficult to pick up, hence its common name. It is usually yellowish-brown with darker brown mottling. The most characteristic feature of the butterfish is a row of 9-15 black spots, each surrounded by a white ring, along the base of the dorsal fin. Adult fish are between 17-25cm in length (7-10”). Eels, some blennies and rocklings are a similar shape, however only the butterfish has a row of black spots surrounded by white circles at the base of the dorsal fin.
