Tub gurnard

Tub Gurnard (Chelidonichthys lucerna) is a species of sea fish in the family Triglidae. It is native to the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea.

Description

The Tub Gurnard is a large, robust fish with a long body and a large head. It has a distinctive red-brown color with blue pectoral fins. The pectoral fins are large and fan-like, with the first three rays separated and elongated. These rays are used to 'walk' along the sea floor in search of food.

Distribution and Habitat

The Tub Gurnard is found in the eastern Atlantic Ocean, from Norway to Morocco, and in the Mediterranean Sea. It inhabits sandy or muddy bottoms, from the shoreline down to depths of about 100 meters.

Diet

The diet of the Tub Gurnard consists mainly of crustaceans, mollusks, and small fish. It uses its pectoral fin rays to probe the seabed for prey.

Reproduction

Tub Gurnard reproduce through oviparous reproduction. The eggs are pelagic and the larvae are planktonic, drifting in the open sea until they are large enough to settle on the sea floor.

In Culture

Tub Gurnard is a popular food fish in some parts of Europe, particularly in France and Spain. It is also caught for sport in some areas.

Conservation Status

The Tub Gurnard is not currently considered to be at risk of extinction. However, like all marine species, it is potentially threatened by overfishing and habitat degradation.

See Also

• Sea Fish
• Triglidae
• Atlantic Ocean
• Mediterranean Sea