What lies beneath the surface?
Dosthill Quarry is rich with underwater life. The clear waters are host to many species of fish including: pike, perch, koi carp, native carp, sterlet and most commonly seen by our divers sturgeon. The environment below the surface is filled with aquatic plants and rock formations boasting a natural habitat for these fish to shelter and take residence. Creating an underwater realm of life for our divers to explore.
Pike
Many of our divers have spotted pike at Dosthill Quarry. Pike are predatory creatures and you will find them camouflaging in reeds or lurking behind rocks to stalk their prey during hunting. The pike is a long olive green fish, with cream blotches and can grow to over a metre in length. You can recognise it by its distinct features such as: a thin body, tapered head, big eyes, a flattened snout and a large mouth filled with sharp teeth. The habitat in Dosthill Quarry is perfect for pike to thrive. They spawn here every year between March and May, where you will see them taking refuge in the shallower, weedy areas.
Did you know?
The largest specimen of pike caught in the UK was just over 21kg!
Perch
Perch are often found at Dosthill Quarry. They are easy to notice in the clear water by their striped bodies, red fins and humped back. Like the pike, perch are a predatory fish. They are medium sized fish which will prey on invertebrates, crayfish and other smaller fish. They can be found at Dosthill year round, but during April specifically you’ll find them lurking near rocks and vegetation as they prepare to spawn.
Did you know?
Female perch are able to lay as many as 300,000 eggs.
Koi & Native Carp
You will fnd both koi carp and native carp at Dosthill Quarry. Koi carp can be recognised for their bright and vibrant colour patterns, sleek body and long elegant fins. Whereas, native carp may be harder to spot as they range from olive green, brown or gray in colour. Meaning, they’re able to camouflage among the rocks and reeds. They also have a more bulky body and shorter fins compared to the Koi. You can find both in the shallower areas during feeding and warmer weather, or sheltering in the deeper parts of the Quarry during the winter.
Did you know?
Koi can live for 25-35 years and some even live as long as 100 years.
Sturgeon
Sturgeon are now a rare species in the UK, but can be found here at Dosthill Quarry. They can be recognised for their elongated snout, five rows of bony scutes running along the back and both sides, and a heterocercal tail (the upper lobe of the tail fin is longer than the lower). You’ll find Sturgeon near the graveled, rocky and muddy areas of Dosthill Quarry. This type of habitat is essential for sturgeon, especially as they have become an endangered species in the UK. Due to this they can be scarce to find in the UK so we find ourselves very lucky to play host to them here at Dosthill Quarry.
Did you know?
Globally, 85% of sturgeon are at risk of extinction. This makes them one of the most critically endangered species on the planet.
Sterlet
Often divers will see sterlet when they visit Dosthill. This species belongs to the sturgeon family and is the most commonly seen in the UK. They can be identified by their smaller, elongated body, long pointed heads, upturned snout and asymmetric, upturned tail. They are lighter in colour than typical sturgeon and are usually a whitish-brown colour. Instead of scales, Sterlet have bony plates which lie along the sides of their body. See if you can spot them!
Did you know?
Sterlet can live up to 46 years!
Explore the aquatic life here
Whether you’re a diver or swimmer, visit us at Dosthill Quarry to explore! There is so much to see at both the surface level and deep below. See what you can spot in the Quarry and feel free to take photos, we would love to see what you can find!
Bibliography
Canal and River Trust (2026) Sterlet. Available from https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/things-to-do/fishing/caring-for-our-fish/freshwater-fish-species/invasive-and-non-native-fish/sterlet [accessed 22 January 2026]
Cumbria Wildlife Trust (2026) Perch. Available from https://www.cumbriawildlifetrust.org.uk/wildlife-explorer/freshwater-fish/perch [accessed 22 January 2026]
Danube Sturgeons (2026) Sturgeon Identification Guide. Available from https://danube-sturgeons.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Brochure-Sturgeon-Identificaqtion-Guide.pdf [accessed 23 January 2026]
Farnham Angling Society (2025) Pike. Available from https://www.farnhamanglingsociety.com/species/coarse/pike/ [accessed 22 January 2026]
Kodama Koi Farm (2026) Koi vs Carp: Difference Between Koi and Carp. Available from https://www.kodamakoifarm.com/koi-vs-carp/ [accessed 22 January 2026]
The Wildlife Trusts (2026) Pike. Available from https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/wildlife-explorer/freshwater-fish/pike [accessed 22 January 2026]
ZSL (2026) UK Sturgeon. Available from https://www.zsl.org/what-we-do/species/uk-sturgeon [accessed 23 January 2026]