Flying gurnard
Dactyloptena orientalis
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Actinopterygii
- Order
- Scorpaeniformes
- Family
- Dactylopteridae
- Genus
- Dactyloptena
- Species
- Dactyloptena orientalis
The flying gurnard (Dactyloptena orientalis) is a bottom-dwelling fish that spreads huge, wing-like pectoral fins when disturbed.
Growing to about 30-40 cm, it walks across the sand using modified pelvic fins, searching for crustaceans.
It is regularly seen on sandy slopes in the Philippines.
Photo: Kai Squires, CC BY 4.0, via iNaturalist