|
FLYING GURNARD FACTS |
Description
The Flying Gurnard is a well-camouflaged fish with huge pectoral fins like wings . The fins are patterned with dark spots and lines with rays projecting from the fin margins. It usually keeps the pectoral fins held against the sides of the body, but when disturbed it expands the fins, often retracting them before swimming off. The head is blunt. The body is grey or brown with dark brown to black spots.
Size
length to 40cm
Habitat
estuaries, coastal bays, areas with sandy bottom. Often seen in water less than 10m in depth, but is also found to at least 100m.
Food
crustaceans, clams, small fish
Range
The Flying Gurnard is found from East Africa to Polynesia, Australia and New Zealand. In Australia it is found around the northern coasts from central coast of Western Australia round to southern New South Wales.
Classification
| Class: | Actinopterygii | | Order: | Scorpaeniformes | | Family: | Dactylopteridae | | Genus: | Dactyloptena | | Species: | orientalis | | Common Name: | Flying Gurnard |
|
|
