UPY 2025

UPY 2019 British Waters Compact - Highly Commended
'Butterfish amongst the mussels'
Guy Mitchell

Have dived Paignton pier a few times and am always amazed at how large and healthy the mussels are which grow on the pillars. This was a night dive and I was lucky enough to spot and capture this beautiful butterfish which was making its way through the mussels. There was quite a swell as there usually is on this site so it was a fairly difficult to keep still for the shot but the fish must have felt safe as it didn't attempt to swim away and I managed to get a few decent images. It's always nice to get a photo of a slightly different subject and you don't see many butterfish so I was pleased to get this shot .

Judge's comment: The attractive textures of the mussel shells creates a perfect frame for this butterfish. While butterfish are common in the north and east, they are a much rarer find in the southwest.
Alex Mustard