Flying gurnard
The flying gurnard (Dactylopterus volitans), also known as the helmet gurnard, is a bottom-dwelling fish of tropical to warm temperate waters on both sides of the Atlantic.[2] On the American side, it is found as far north as Massachusetts (exceptionally as far as Canada) and as far south as Argentina, including the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico.[3] On the European and African side, it ranges from the English Channel to Angola, including the Mediterranean.[3] This is the only species in the monotypic genus Dactylopterus. Similar and related species from the genus Dactyloptena are found in the Indian and Pacific Oceans.
Flying gurnard | |
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Actinopterygii |
Order: | Syngnathiformes |
Family: | Dactylopteridae |
Genus: | Dactylopterus Lacépède, 1801 |
Species: | D. volitans |
Binomial name | |
Dactylopterus volitans | |
Synonyms | |
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This fish is variable in coloration, being brownish or greenish with reddish or yellowish patches.[4] When excited, the fish spreads its "wings", which are semitransparent, with a phosphorescent, bright-blue coloration at their tips. The fish also has large eyes. It reaches up to 50 cm (20 in) in length and 1.8 kg (4.0 lb) in weight.[3]
The fish's main diet consists of small fish, bivalves, and crustaceans.[5]
References
- Carpenter, K.E.; Munroe, T. & Robertson, R. (2015). "Dactylopterus volitans". The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2015: e.T185182A1777936. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2015-4.RLTS.T185182A1777936.en.
- "flying gurnard | marine fish". Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved 15 June 2016.
- Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.) (2007). "Dactylopterus volitans" in FishBase. Dec 2007 version.
- Bigelow, H. B. and W. C. Schroeder. Flying Gurnard, Dactylopterus volitans (Linnaeus) 1758. Fishes of the Gulf of Maine. Fishery Bulletin 74. United States Fish & Wildlife Service. 1953.
- "The Flying Gurnard - Whats That Fish!". www.whatsthatfish.com. Retrieved 15 June 2016.
External links
- Media related to Dactylopterus volitans at Wikimedia Commons
- Data related to Dactylopterus volitans at Wikispecies
- Photos of Flying gurnard on Sealife Collection