Introducing our May Fish of the Month, the Flying Gurnard, Dactylopterus volitans!
Survey Regions: The Flying Gurnard is found throughout REEF's Tropical Western Atlantic (TWA) survey region, which includes the the Caribbean, Florida, The Bahamas, and Bermuda. It is also found on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean, in REEF's Eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean (EAM) survey region. Here are links to the distribution reports for this species in the REEF database: TWA and EAM
Size: They are 6-14 inches, and grow to a maximum of 18 inches.
Identifying Features: Flying Gurnards have large, fanlike pectoral fins that have bright blue lines and dots when expanded. Their pectoral fins have thick, curved spines that look like fingers. Their bodies are grayish to yellow with white spots, and they have a rounded head with a blunt snout.
Fun Facts: Flying Gurnards live on sand, seagrass or rubble bottoms near shallow patch reefs. When foraging, they will "walk" across the bottom on their ventral fins, and use the large spines of their pectoral fins to turn over rocks and rubble to find prey.
Thanks for reading, and stay tuned for our next Fish of the Month.
Photo by Paul Humann.