Flying gurnard (Dactylopterus volitans) is a saltwater, brackish species recorded in the United States. It is mainly found over reef, at depths of 1–100 m.
Scientific name: Dactylopterus volitans · Water: Saltwater, Brackish
Size: up to 50 cm
The flying gurnard is a dactylopterid found on sand and mud and over rocks in sandy areas, down to 100 m, exploring the bottom with the free part of its pectoral fins. It feeds primarily on benthic crustaceans, especially crabs, as well as clams and small fishes. Its range is the eastern Atlantic, from the English Channel to Angola including the Mediterranean, Madeira and the Azores, and the western Atlantic from Canada and Massachusetts and the Gulf of Mexico to Argentina. Maximum length is about 50 cm standard length, commonly about 38 cm total length, and it matures at about 19 cm. It is a minor commercial species, a gamefish and a commercial aquarium fish. Fishing vulnerability is moderate at 37 of 100 and resilience medium. IUCN lists it as least concern.
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