Oriental Flying Gurnard

Dactyloptena orientalis

The Oriental Flying Gurnard is a bottom-dwelling marine fish with large fanlike pectoral fins used for display and brief glides. It lives over sandy or muddy bottoms on continental shelves and is usually caught incidentally rather than targeted.

Saltwater

Oriental Flying Gurnard reference image — Rickard Zerpe, cc-by, via Wikimedia Commons. Source: Wikimedia Commons.

Identification points

Very large winglike pectoral fins with blue-edged spots and long free lower rays that resemble fingers
Bony armored head with a flattened snout
Two separated dorsal fins, with the first dorsal carried as short spines near the front of the body

Habitat

Shallow coastal marine waters over sand, mud, or shell bottoms, often on continental shelves and around bays, lagoons, and nearshore reefs; commonly rests on the seabed and may bury itself partly in sediment.

Bait notes

Best taken incidentally on small bottom baits such as shrimp, squid strips, cut bait, or small fish pieces fished near the seabed. Small soft plastics and jigs worked slowly along sand flats may also draw strikes.

Behavior

A benthic predator that forages along the bottom for small crustaceans, worms, and small fishes. It spreads its pectoral fins when threatened or excited and can make short gliding movements above the bottom.

Caution

The pectoral fins have a large surface area and the first dorsal spines are sharp; handle carefully to avoid spines and fin rays. Check local regulations, as it is generally a bycatch species and may not be commonly targeted.

Fishing notes

Fish light bottom rigs close to sand or mud in shallow coastal water and keep baits just off the bottom. Because it is not a primary game fish, handle gently and release if not kept for local use.