Dactyloptena orientalis
Also known as: Brown Flying Gurnard, Common Helmut Gurnard, Flying Fish, Grunt Fish, Helmut Gurnard, Indo-Pacific Flying Gurnard, Oriental Gurnard, Oriental Helmut Gurnard, Oriental Sea Robin, Purple Flying Gurnard, Sea Robin
Found singly, blending in with their surroundings, or flying close to the bottom, in coastal waters.
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.
Tap any trait to see other fish that share it.
Found singly, blending in with their surroundings, or flying close to the bottom, in coastal waters.
4 comments
Saw one in the Ko"Olina Lagoon on Oahu. Very fun to watch him use his front two little fins to move along the bottom and move the sand looking for food. When we got too close he would spread out his pectoral wings which were darker grey. Very fun to watch!
Saw one in Tobago Cays. Very cool! Thanks whatsthatfish.com for helping me ID the fish. As a divemaster, I'm going to start sending guests and friends here. Cheers!
Dactylopteriformes
