There are many things to see and do at the Lyme Regis Marine Aquarium in West Dorset. You'll discover the creatures of the seashore and deeper waters of Lyme Bay.

We aim to offer a truly interactive experience, with kids as well as adults having the opportunity to handle live specimens during a visit.

The following fish and sea creatures are a sample of what can be found in the aquarium. Due to the way we stock the aquarium and the process of releasing fish after a period on show, we cannot guarantee all of the following species will be on display during your visit.

Mullet

The mullet in the aquarium are some of the most tame fish you will ever see in your lifetime.

One of the most popular things to do during a visit is hand feeding the mullet.

Lobster

Lobsters live in holes in rocky areas and typically feed off worms and other fleshy material including feeding off weaker lobsters. Lobsters are very sensitive to temperature and hibernate in temperatures of sub 5 degrees.

Starfish

Starfish can be found in rock pools around Lyme Regis. Starfish are unmistakable with their five arms with rows of tube feet on the underside. The central mouth of the starfish is underneath the upper body. The common starfish is orange in colour and is occasionally seen with missing arms.

Ballan Wrasse

The Ballan wrasse Labrus bergylta, of the eastern Atlantic Ocean. Its maximum length is 66 cm. All Ballan Wrasse are female for their first eight years before a few change into males. Large Ballans are almost certainly male.

Short Spined Sea Scorpion

The head of this aggressive little fish is covered in sharp spines. It will eat any other fish that can fit in its large mouth it hides in weed and pounces out to eat the fish whole.

Sea Mouse

The head and scales of the scaleworm are completely hidden by its hairy body. It likes to live on muddy sand of which there is abundance off the shore of Lyme Regis. It does look like a small mouse, but it is not related. Many children visiting the aquarium think that the sea mouse lives on cheese.