SEA ROBBINS ~ FISH 🐟

Triglidae, commonly known as gurnards or sea robins, are bottom-feeding scorpaeniform ray-finned fish. The gurnards are distributed in temperate and tropical seas worldwide. They have large pectoral fins that resemble birds’ wings, and they can make croaking noises like frogs. Some of the genera in this family are Bellator, Prionotus, Bovitrigla, Pterygotrigla, Chelidonichthys (in the photo), Eutrigla, Lepidotrigla and Trigla.🐠🐠

Gurnards have tentacle-like feeler appendages under their heads that contain sensory organs to help them locate food. These appendages are adapted pelvic fins. They also have four spines that project down from their pectoral fins and sometimes other smaller spines on their heads. Their pectoral fins can be quite colourful and ornately patterned. Some gurnards can also glide above the water for short distances on their outspread pectoral fins.🐠🐠

Gurnards prefer to feed on open sandy beaches or areas with soft broken ground or scattered rocks where they can find molluscs, crustaceans and other prey. They can also provide mixed bottoms or clean patches in rocky areas. The largest species of gurnards can grow up to 70 cm (28 inches) long. 🎏🐠