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Dactyloptena orientalis
The oriental flying gurnard is up to 40 centimetres (16 in) in length and is usually a grayish brown color with dark markings. The fish has huge, round pectoral fins having many dark markings and a bright blue edge. The pectoral fins are normally held against the body, but when threatened the fins are expanded in to scare predators which include sea breams and mackerel.Their name is derived from the French word 'gurnard' meaning to grunt, for the grunting sound this fish makes.
This flying gurnard inhabits the Indo-Pacific Oceans at depths up to 100 metres (330 ft). The flying gurnard uses its pelvic fins to walk along the bottom of the ocean. It feeds on bony fish, bivalves, and crustaceans.
I have seen it at more or less 20 m depth.
51 Comments (1–25)
Thanks, Jemma! :-)
awesome!!
Thanks!
Beautiful!
Congrats Marta!
Congratulations, Marta! This fish is unbelievable! Wonderful spotting!
Well done Marta! I love this amazing creature :)
Marta, this is such a beautiful series! Congratulations!!!
Congratulations Marta!
Felicidades, Marta!
Felicidades Marta este es uno de mis peces favoritos de todos :):)
Congratulations Marta
Many thanks!! :-)
Congratulations Marta!
Congratulations Marta! This great series has been chosen as a runner up in the "2012 Best Spotting of the Year" Fish category!
http://blog.projectnoah.org/post/3958700...
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Cool
Just beautiful!!
Incredible!
Hermosa criatura Marta
Wonderful creature, congrats!!
Fabulous, congrats, well deserved
Awesome! Congrats!
Congrats for these impressive spottings!!
Congrats .
An amazing fish! Congratulations!