Flying Gurnard Facts for kids

Flying Gurnard Description: Their bodies are almost rounded, elongated and tapers toward the tail. They have a large head and eyes, but a small mouth. From the side the head looks like that of a frog. The fish is covered with scales that are tough and prickly. There are two large hook-like spurs near the gills. It has large fanlike pectoral fins. The dorsal fin is forked.

This marine fish uses its two pelvic fins to ‘walk’ on the ocean floor. It has a moving appendage on top of its head behind the eye region. The body can be light green, or mixed dark and light tan colors, with a white belly and darker spots on the body. The pectoral fins have orange edges and dark spots.

Habitat: The fish occupy shallow waters with sandy floors. The fish is distributed from Hawaii and Japan toward central Polynesia, to the East Indies and across the Indian Ocean to the African coast.

Behavior and Diet: It uses its pelvic fins to walk and search for food. The pectoral fins act as wings to propel the fish forward in short distances. The fish is carnivorous and eats invertebrates, crustaceans and other fish.

Flying Gurnard Facts for Aquarists: The Flying Gurnard is a beautiful and entertaining fish and is easy to look after. Since it can grow quite large, it must be provided with a large aquarium.