Oriental flying gurnard
{{Short description|Species of fish}}
{{Speciesbox
| name = Oriental flying gurnard
| image = Dactyloptena orientalis.JPG
| status = LC
| status_system = IUCN3.1
| status_ref = {{cite journal | author1 = Motomura, H. | author2 = Matsuura, K. | name-list-style = amp | year = 2016 | title = Dactyloptena orientalis | journal = The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species | volume = 2016 | page = e.T50903234A53990827 | doi = 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T50903234A53990827.en | doi-access = free }}
| taxon = Dactyloptena orientalis
| authority = (G. Cuvier, 1829){{cite WoRMS |author=Bailley, Nicolas |year=2013 |title=Dactyloptena orientalis (Cuvier, 1829) |id=218158 |accessdate=2013-12-21 |db=}}
| synonyms =
- Corystion orientale (Cuvier, 1829)
- Corystion orientalis (Cuvier, 1829)
- Dactylopterus cheirophthalmus (Bleeker, 1855)
- Dactylopterus japonicus (Bleeker, 1854)
- Dactylopterus orientalis (Cuvier, 1829)
- Ebisinus procne (Ogilby, 1910)
}}
Dactyloptena orientalis, known commonly as the Oriental flying gurnard or purple flying gurnard among other vernacular names, is a species of marine fish in the family Dactylopteridae.[http://www.fishbase.org/comnames/CommonNamesList.php?ID=4485&GenusName=Dactyloptena&SpeciesName=orientalis&StockCode=4683 Common names of Dactyloptena orientalis] FishBase Their name is derived from the French word 'gurnard' meaning to grunt, for the grunting sound this fish makes.
Description
File:Oriental Flying Gurnard (Dactyloptena orientalis) (6972951306).jpg
The oriental flying gurnard can grow to {{convert|40|cm|0|abbr=on}} in length but its common size is about {{convert|20|cm|0|abbr=on}}. It has a broad head with a blunt snout and the eyes are set a long way apart. It has a heavily armoured robust body. The dorsal fin has seven spines and nine soft rays while the anal fin has no spines and six to seven soft rays. The huge, rounded pectoral fins having many dark spots and wavy streaks and a bright blue edge. Each ray has a feeler-like extension on the tip. This fish is well camouflaged with a grayish brown base color with dark brown or black markings on its head and body.[http://www.fishbase.org/summary/4485 Dactyloptena orientalis (Cuvier, 1829): Oriental flying gurnard] FishBase{{cite web |url=http://australianmuseum.net.au/Purple-Flying-Gurnard-Dactyloptena-orientalis/ |title=Purple Flying Gurnard, Dactyloptena orientalis (Cuvier, 1829) |author=Mark McGrouther |date=2013-09-04 |publisher=Australian Museum |access-date=2013-12-21}}
File:Oriental Flying Gurnard Dactyloptena orientalis (7965571048).jpg
Distribution and habitat
The Oriental flying gurnard is widespread throughout the tropical waters of the Indo-Pacific region including the Red Sea. Its range extends from the coasts of East Africa to Polynesia and the western, northern and eastern coasts of Australia. It is found on the seabed in bays and estuaries and sandy areas, most often at depths of about {{convert|10|m|0|abbr=on}} but sometimes as deep as {{convert|100|m|0|abbr=on}}.
Behavior
The pectoral fins are normally held against the body, but when threatened the fins are expanded to startle potential predators which may include sea breams and mackerel. The flying gurnard uses its pelvic fins to walk along the bottom of the ocean.
The oriental flying gurnard feeds on small bony fish, bivalves, and crustaceans.Fischer, W., I. Sousa, C. Silva, A. de Freitas, J.M. Poutiers, W. Schneider, T.C. Borges, J.P. Feral and A. Massinga, 1990. Fichas FAO de identificaçao de espécies para actividades de pesca. Guia de campo das espécies comerciais marinhas e de águas salobras de Moçambique. Publicaçao preparada em collaboraçao com o Instituto de Investigaçao Pesquiera de Moçambique, com financiamento do Projecto PNUD/FAO MOZ/86/030 e de NORAD. Roma, FAO. 1990. 424 p.
Gallery
Image:Daori_u0.png|Digital side-view illustration with expanded pectoral fin.
Image:Dactyloptena orientalis (Oriental flying gurnard).gif|Oriental flying gurnard, top view drawing
Image:SemiHB.jpg|Side view showing "walking" with pectoral fins against body
File:Naturalis Biodiversity Center - RMNH.ART.188 - Dactyloptena orientalis (Cuvier) - Kawahara Keiga - 1823 - 1829 - Siebold Collection - pencil drawing - water colour.jpeg|Dactyloptena orientalis by Kawahara Keiga, 1823-1829
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{Portal|Fish|marine biology|marine life}}
- {{SealifePhotos|218158}}
{{Taxonbar|from=Q1582612}}
Category:Taxa named by Georges Cuvier