Marine Life in Gozo: The Flying Gurnard

The sea surrounding Gozo is filled with bizarre and fascinating creatures, and one of the most unique is the Flying Gurnard. Despite its name, this intriguing fish doesn’t actually “fly”, but it does have some incredible features that make it one of the most captivating marine species found in Maltese waters.

A stunning flying gurnard explores the sea bed.

The Flying Gurnard’s scientific name is Dactylopterus volitans, which translates to "winged finger." The term "flying" comes from the fish's spectacular display of large, wing-like pectoral fins that can spread out to impressive lengths. Although it doesn’t fly, these fins give it the appearance of soaring underwater when it glides gracefully along the seafloor.

The most eye-catching feature of the Flying Gurnard is its pectoral fins, which can stretch out to nearly twice the width of its body. These fins are covered in bright, iridescent blue spots, making them truly a sight to behold. When threatened, the gurnard spreads these fins in a dramatic fashion, startling potential predators and appearing much larger than it is.

Though known for its showy fins, the flying gurnard is also excellent at blending in with its environment. Its body is typically covered in shades of brown, yellow, and green that mimic the sandy or rocky sea floor. This camouflage helps it remain hidden from predators when it's not putting on its defensive fin display.

Unlike most fish that swim freely, the flying gurnard prefers to stay near the bottom of shallow seas, usually at depths of 10 to 100 meters. It uses its pelvic fins, which resemble tiny legs, to "walk" along the seabed as it searches for food. The fish primarily feeds on small crustaceans, molluscs, and other invertebrates.

Despite its name, the flying gurnard is not a true member of the gurnard family (Triglidae). Instead, it belongs to its own family called Dactylopteridae. The similarities in their appearance and behavior have often led to the confusion, but flying gurnards have some unique characteristics that set them apart from their more closely related species.

Flying gurnards are found in warm and temperate coastal waters around the world, most commonly in the Atlantic Ocean, the Mediterranean Sea, and the Caribbean. They prefer shallow, sandy bottoms where they can forage for food, though they’ve been spotted at depths of up to 200 meters.

Flying gurnards have a heavily armored body, covered in bony plates. This exoskeleton provides extra protection against predators. Their head is also particularly hard and angular, which contributes to their slightly prehistoric appearance. While the fins are meant to startle or confuse predators, the armored body provides additional defence.

In addition to their physical defences, flying gurnards can produce sound! They are able to "grunt" using their swim bladder, which is an internal organ that helps them control buoyancy. The sound is created when they contract muscles around the swim bladder, emitting a low rumbling noise, thought to ward off predators or communicate with other gurnards.

The flying gurnard is completely harmless. Despite its armored body and dramatic appearance, it poses no threat. It has no venom or sharp spines, and its behaviour is generally calm unless it feels threatened. If you’re lucky enough to encounter one while snorkelling or diving, it’s more likely to put on a dazzling fin display than cause any harm.

Join us today for some underwater exploration and hopefully you can encounter one of these unique and striking marine animals.