Tub Gurnard

Overview

The Tub Gurnard (Chelidonichthys lucerna) is a distinctive bottom-dwelling marine fish recognized for its large, bony, triangular head and specialized pectoral fins. As the largest member of the Triglidae family, it is a significant species in both commercial fisheries and marine ecosystems across its range.

Distribution & habitat

This species is widely distributed throughout the Mediterranean and Black Seas, as well as the eastern Atlantic Ocean, ranging from Norway in the north to the coast of Senegal in the south. It typically inhabits benthic environments, favoring sandy, muddy, or gravelly bottoms on the continental shelf. While generally found at depths between 20 and 300 meters, individuals may move toward shallower coastal waters during the summer, and juveniles are occasionally found in brackish estuaries.

Appearance

The Tub Gurnard features an elongated body with a reddish-brown back that may be mottled with green or brown spots, fading to a pinkish-white belly. Its most notable feature is the large, fan-like pectoral fins, which often display vibrant blue or violet hues with white or green spots and a dark, eye-like blotch on the inner surface. The lower three rays of these fins are detached and finger-like, serving as sensory organs for navigating and probing the seafloor. The head is heavily armored with ridges and spines.

Feeding

As a carnivore, the Tub Gurnard primarily hunts for prey on or near the seabed. Its diet consists mainly of crustaceans, such as shrimp, supplemented by mollusks and small bottom-dwelling fish.