Spotwing Flying Gurnard (Dactyloptena macracantha)

Also known as Flying Gurnard, Largespot Flying Gurnard, Mottled Flying Gurnard, Spiny Flying Gurnard, Spotwing Flying Helmut Gurnard, Spotwing Helmet Gurnard

Description

Also known as Flying Gurnard, Largespot Flying Gurnard, Mottled Flying Gurnard, Spiny Flying Gurnard, Spotwing Flying Helmut Gurnard, Spotwing Helmet Gurnard.

Found singly, over shallow muddy bottoms, and over the continental shelf, in shallow, to very deep waters.
They feed on clams, crustaceans and small fish.
Length - 30cm
Depth - 45-180m
Widespread Indo-West Pacific

The Flying Gurnard has huge, round Pectoral fins. The fins are usually held against the body, but when threatened they can expand their wings (fins) to scare off a predator.
The pelvic fins act like legs as the fish walks along the bottom of the ocean. They also grunt. French term for the word Gurnard means to grunt. Ref: https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Dactyloptena-macracantha

1 comment

  1. Posted by Brian wright
    July 11, 2018 at 17:38 pm - 1 person found this useful.

    I saw what appeared to be a Spotwing Flying Gurnard about ten inches long in two metres water in the Med near Moraira Spain

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