Gurnard, Triglida

The gurnards have pectoral fins that fan out like wings, for which reason they are mistakenly called ‘flying fish’. In fact they are bottom feeders, and lie on the sea floor, using their wing-like fins to stir up weeds and sand to rout out their prey.

Skull of gurnard, 5.5 cm. Gift of Zoe Paul, 2001. Photograph ©Peter B. Tzannes, 2003