Flying gurnard Flying gurnard Stills taken from video by Tanya and Danie Colyn Helmet gurnard Helmet gurnard Bluefin gurnard All other photos Guido Zsilavecz	Flying and other gurnards The flying gurnard (Dactylopterus volitans) is a species occuring from the English Channel and further south and the Western Atlantic, from 10m down to at least 80m. Typical of gurnards the pectoral fins are enlarged and are used mostly to discourage predators. Most gurnards, like the South African bluefin gurnard (Chelidonichthys kumu) shown, have relatively small pectoral fins, but the flying gurnard and its relative, the helmet gurnard (Dactyloptena orientalis) which can be found in the Indo-Pacific area, have unusually large ones - so large in fact that they reach from head to tail. While generally kept folded against the body, when threatened the fish expands its fins, creating the illusion of being much bigger. Bold colours and patterns, as well as occasionally false eye spots, further create a display aimed at shocking a potential predator in leaving the fish alone. For maximum effect the fish tends to turn away from the potential predator, which also helps in escaping when necessary. Interestingly enough, even with this display, most gurnards are quick to flee, and are hard to follow. The images of the flying gurnard shown are from a video clip, and the diver had quite some difficulty keeping up with the fish.
References: Mediterranean and Atlantic Fish Guide, H Debelius, 1997. Reef Fish Identification, Tropical Pacific, G Allen, R Steene, P Humann and N Deloach, 2003 Coastal fishes of the Cape Peninsula and False Bay, a divers' identification guide, G Zsilavecz, 2005.
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