Dactylopterus Volita
– Flying Gurnard –
| Conservation status |
|---|
 Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)[1] |
| Scientific classification |
Dactylopterus volitans (Linnaeus, 1758)
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Syngnathiformes |
| Family: | Dactylopteridae |
| Genus: | Dactylopterus Lacépède, 1801 |
| Species: | D. volitans |
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 Ocean.[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.
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 semi-transparent, 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]
Description
The head is relatively large, with a large mouth, equipped with bony armor. The body is elongated, rather compressed on the back. It has two dorsal fins , the first is supported by spiny rays similar to spines (as well as the anal fin ) while the second is softer. The ventral fins are pointed, the tail is elongated. The most visible feature of this species are the large pectoral fins , supported by long and robust rays, which when fully enlarged together form a large ellipse , which allows the fish to “glide” near the seabed.
The livery varies somewhat from specimen to specimen, with a background color ranging from brown-gray to yellow to reddish, decorated by 3 or more brown vertical bands and dotted with white dots. The pectoral fins have the same color, but are dotted and also edged with an electric blue.
It reaches a length of 50 centimeters.
Distribution and Habitat
Its habitat is benthic and has its limits between 10 and 80 meters deep, it inhabits the depths of the Mediterranean Sea , Madeira , the Azores and the Atlantic Ocean , from Angola to the European coast (sometimes as far north as Southern England ) in the eastern Atlantic and from Canada to Argentina in the western one. The juvenile specimens are also found a few meters deep, on sandy bottoms.
Etymology of Common Names
The common names, owl fish and swallow fish, derive from the belief that this fish can fly out of the water through its very large pectoral fins . However, this is impossible given the massive structure of the fish and especially of its heavy head covered with bony plates.
Alimentation
This species feeds on fish , bivalves and crabs .
Predators
The owl fish preys on numerous fish species including many species of the Istiophoridae family and seabirds (belonging to the Laridae family ).
Fishing
It is caught occasionally as an edible fish, but it does not have refined meats. It is an occasional prey for sport fishermen.
Aquarium
It seems to be quite common in public aquariums.
