Skip to main content
Close

Helmut Gurnard

Dactyloptena orientalis

Published on Project Noah
Zoom
NominateNominate for Wildlife Photograph of the Month
reportFlag Spotting

-6.26675, 39.5341

Field Notes

Description:

Has huge, round Pectoral fins. The fins are usually held against the body, but when threatened they can expand their wings (fins) to scare off a predator.
The pelvic fins act like legs as the fish walks along the bottom of the ocean.

Habitat:

Found on shallow sandy bottoms near deep water

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (2)

thanks for the information. Now that I see the other images with the fins down I can see that it looks more like a fish!
Whatsthatfish beat me to the punch, I was too busy trying to find a link to the same species! Definitely a gurnard, and a definitely a fish. A beautiful one at that :) Nice spot!!
Photographed
PublishedFebruary 7, 2012

Accelerate our Mission to Photograph 
Every Species in the World!

Image
Butterflies icon

Wildlife Community

Wildlife Community

Join a worldwide community passionate about wildlife and nature!

Join Project Noah

Nature School

Nature School

Transform your green space into a curiosity-creating nature classroom!

Visit Nature School

Wildlife Game

Wildlife Game

Defend wildlife throughout the jungle in thrilling nature game!

Play Baboon