when I was walking along a beach with some friends, we got bored so we started to look for crabs for them to fight to the death…. (I know…. we were bored and got out of college early) anyways, I turned over this rock near a rock pool, still on the sand when I saw a fish squirming like there was no tomorrow, then it stopped and seemed to stare right at me…. at first I thought it was a weaver but as I took a second glance after jumping out of my skin I noticed it looked NOTHING like one…..

this fish was a dark brown colour with different patches of brown all over its body
its head was sloped downwards from its forehead
its eyes stuck out of its head and they were red
it has long spines about 2cm long along the length of its back going up to the base of its head
its tail fin and side fins were also spined (these spines did not show, I was going to poke it but then I found a rock to poke it with just incase, next thing I know its spines shot up)
its spines were a lighter colour than the rest of the fish… but only by a small tint
it was approximately 25cm in length and about 7cm wide
it has a flat underside from what I could see

I found about 4 of these while over turning rocks, all different sizes and slightly different colours of brown

after the initial jump of shock because I was worried to stand on it knowing the threat and pain a weaver fish can give…. I slowly put the rock back making sure not to hurt the fish and left it be. I’m almost 100% sure it was NOT a rock goby, even though they look very similar….. if somebody could help me identify this fish, because I am fascinated in marine life.

ADDITIONAL INFO
I found this amazing fish in North Wales up in the Conwy county, a place called Rhos-on-sea right next to Llandudno if this helps at all.

I DID PUT ALL THE ROCKS BACK TAKING EXTREME CARE AND CAUTION NOT TO HURT THE FISH OR MYSELF