The flying gurnard

flying gurnard

Scientific name	Dactylopterus volitans
Descriptor	Linnaeus
Year of description	1758
IUCN category (World)	LC
Family	Dactylopteridae
Genus	Dactylopterus

Introduction

Dactylopterus volitans, commonly known as flying gurnard, is a salt water fish.

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Who is it?

Morphology

Average size

38 cm
Maximum size

50 cm
Pattern

mottling

Dactylopterus volitans - flying gurnard — Dactylopterus volitans, flying gurnard © Benoit Chartrer

Average size

38 cm
Maximum size

50 cm
Pattern

mottling

How to recognize This fish ?

The flying gurnard measures between 38 and 50 cm. This fish is multicolore with a predominantly rouge, bleu, orange, marron and beige body. The also has marron mottling.

Behaviour & Life cycle

diet

carnivorous
Sociability

solitary
territorial

No
Way of living

diurnal

The flying gurnard is a fish solitary. This species is carnivorous .

Although the flying gurnard is non-territorial, it is sometimes aggressive towards other species.

Reproduction

Reproduction

ovipare

The flying gurnard is a fish ovipare.

Harmless species

This species does not represent any particular threats to humans when encountered in its natural environment.

Origin and distribution

Origin

Gulf of Mexico Caribbean Sea Mediterranean Sea Black Sea Atlantic Ocean: North Coast of Brazil Temperate Eastern Atlantic Ocean Cold temperate Northwest Atlantic Ocean Northwest warm temperate Atlantic Ocean Southwest warm temperate Atlantic Ocean Eastern tropical Atlantic Ocean Southwest Tropical Atlantic Ocean

islands

Canary Islands

Conservation status of populations (IUCN)

World : LC

Where to see this species?

What is its habitat?

Natural environment characteristics

Temperature

13 - 28 °C
Depth

1 - 100 m

Biotope presentation

The flying gurnard is most often found at a depth between 1m and 100m. However, it is not impossible to find this species at other depths.

Species of the same biotope

To go further

Species of the same family

To read on the web

Sources & Contributions

Participation & Validation

The Fishipedia team and specialist contributors are committed to providing high-quality content. However, although the information comes from scientific sources or testimonials from specialists, the cards may contain inaccuracies.

Adrien Falzon

Benoit Chartrer

Translation

Translation done with the valuable contribution of our translators, who make this information available to a wider audience. We sincerely thank them for their commitment.