Gurnard

Spread blue-green pectoral fins.

Scientific name	Chelidonichthys spinosus
English name	Gurnard
Japanese name	竹麦魚・魴鮄
Classification	Actinopterygii
Classification details	Scorpaeniformes Triglidae
Full length	~40cm
Distribution	Sand and mud bottom from southern Hokkaido to the South China Sea.

Characteristics

A saltwater fish with bright blue-green pectoral fins. The head is large and the back of the body is tapered. Body color is pale brown with red spots. The pectoral fins are parallel to the seabed and open in a semicircular shape, with bright blue edges. Blue spots are scattered in the green. The bottom of the pectoral fin is red, and soft rays are developed like legs. They sometimes move along the seafloor as if they were walking on these soft rays.

Ecology

Found on sandy and muddy bottoms in shallow to deep waters. It searches for prey while walking on sandy and muddy bottoms with soft rays, preying on crustaceans and small fish. The redness of the body increases with growth, and the pectoral fins also become brightly colored.

Habitat

Inside Osezaki Bay

Taken during a dive in Osezaki Bay in May. It sat alone on the sandy mud bottom, spreading its pectoral fins. It didn't move very quickly, moving slowly along the ocean floor. It is characterized by having "legs", and if you look only at the base of the pectoral fins, it looks like a crustacean.