Red Gurnard, Chelidonichthys kumu (Cuvier, 1829)

Scientific name: Chelidonichthys kumu
Chelidonichthys kumu Click to enlarge image
A Red Gurnard at a depth of 2 m in tidal waters at the mouth of the Minnamurra River, New South Wales, January 2007. Image: S. Schulz
© S. Schulz

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Genus
    Chelidonichthys
    Species
    kumu
    Family
    Triglidae
    Order
    Scorpaeniformes
    Class
    Actinopterygii
    Subphylum
    Vertebrata
    Phylum
    Chordata
    Kingdom
    Animalia
  • Size Range
    The Red Gurnard grows to 50 cm in length.

Introduction

The Red Gurnard has brightly coloured pectoral fins that are used for display or startling potential predators.

Identification

The Red Gurnard has a bony head and a blunt snout that lacks spines. The body is covered with tiny cycloid scales. A row of enlarged scales forming thorn-like bucklers is present along the bases of both dorsal fins.

The species is red-brown to grey-brown above and pale below. The body has scattered red-brown blotches. The pectoral fins are greenish-grey with light blue spots. The margin is pale blue and there is a black blotch with white dots near the base.

Red Gurnard, Chelidonichthys kumu
Chelidonichthys kumu
Red Gurnard, Chelidonichthys kumu

Habitat

It is known from shallow sandy beaches and estuaries (as juveniles) down to a depth of around 200 m.

It is most often encountered in trawler catches but is sometimes caught on hook and line.

Distribution

The species is known from temperate marine waters of the Indo-West Pacific.

In Australia it occurs from southern Queensland, around the south of the country and north to the central coast of Western Australia.

The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums. Source: Atlas of Living Australia.

Other behaviours and adaptations

It is believed that the fish will flair its brightly coloured pectoral fins as a display or to startle potential predators.

References

  1. Gomon, M.F. in Gomon, M.F., Glover, C.J.M. & R.H. Kuiter (Eds). 1994. The Fishes of Australia's South Coast. State Print, Adelaide. Pp. 992.
  2. Hutchins, B. & R. Swainston. 1986. Sea Fishes of Southern Australia. Complete Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Swainston Publishing. Pp. 180.
  3. Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. New Holland. Pp. 433.
  4. Kuiter, R.H. 2000. Coastal Fishes of South-eastern Australia. Gary Allen. Pp. 437.