Flying Gurnard, Dactylopterus volitans
Flying Gurnard, Dactylopterus volitans. Underwater photograph taken in coastal waters off Isla Mujeras, Cancun, May 2012. Photograph courtesy of Dean Brittenham, Garwin, Iowa. Identification courtesy of H.J. Walker, Jr., Scripps Institution of Oceanography, La Jolla, California.
The Flying Gurnard, Dactylopterus volitans, is a member of the Flying Gurnard or Dactylopteridae Family, and is known in Mexico as alón volador. Globally, there are seven species in the Dactylopteridae Family that have been placed in two genera. The genus Dactylopterus, has one one species, this species, that is found in Mexican waters of the Atlantic Ocean.
The Flying Gurnard has a moderately elongated odd box-shaped body with a square cross section that tapers posteriorly. They are highly variable in coloration including various shades of yellowish-brown and dusky colors with pale body spots; their large fan-like pectoral fins are covered with white spots and bright blue lines and spots. Under stress their pectoral fins become semi-transparent with a beautiful phosphorescent bright blue coloration. Their head is large and blunt and covered with hard scute-like scales. They have disproportionately large eyes and a small mouth that opens ventrally with a band of small nodular teeth. The lower corner of their preoperculum has a long spine with a serrated keel that tapers posteriorly. Their anal fin is short with 6 rays; their caudal fin is slightly concave with 2 sharp keels at the base; their first dorsal fin has 6 spines with the first 2 being standalone, and the second hash 1 spine and 8 rays; their pectoral fins have a horizontal base with 6 short rays above and 26 to 30 long rays below; and their pelvic fins are below the pectoral base. They are close relatives to the Searobins and are remarkable for their enormous pectoral fins which when laid back reach the base of the caudal fin and when spread take the form of enormous rounded fanlike wings. The front portion of these “wings” is shaped like the foot of an amphibian, giving the fish a “lizard-like” appearance. They possess a swim bladder with 2 lobes and a “drumming muscle” that can beat against the swim bladder to produce sound. They are covered with sharp bony scales which have sharp keels.
The Flying Gurnard is a demersal species found over and within sandy and muddy bottoms at depths up to 82 m (270 feet). They reach a maximum length of 45 cm (18 inches). As of January 1, 2024, the International Game Fish Association world record stood at 1.81 kg (4 lbs 0 oz) with the fish caught from coastal waters off Panama City, Florida in June 1986. They are very similar to Searobins being able to “walk” along sandy sea floors seeking crustaceans and other small invertebrates for food. As a defense mechanism, they can spread their large pectoral fins and appear much bigger than they actually are. The Flying Gurnard is poorly studied with very limited information available about their lifestyle and behavioral patterns including specific details on age, growth, longevity, movement patterns, diet, habitat use, and reproduction.
The Flying Gurnard is a resident of all Mexican waters of the Atlantic Ocean including the Gulf of Mexico and the east coast of the Yucatán Peninsula in the Caribbean.
From a conservation perspective the Flying Gurnard is currently considered to be of Least Concern with stable, widely distributed populations. They are sold commercially on a limited basis by the aquarium trade.