Chelidonichthys cuculus (Linnaeus, 1758)
Red gurnard
Chelidonichthys cuculus
photo by Østergaard, T.

Family:  Triglidae (Searobins), subfamily: Triglinae
Max. size:  70 cm TL (male/unsexed); max. reported age: 21 years
Environment:  demersal; marine; depth range 15 - 400 m
Distribution:  Eastern Atlantic: British Isles (occasionally Norway) to Mauritania (including Madeira and Azores); throughout the Mediterranean (Ref. 3687); and Black Sea (Ref. 57855, 58342).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 9-10; Dorsal soft rays (total): 17-18; Anal soft rays: 16-18. Head large, without deep occipital groove. First dorsal spine serrate anteriorly, second spine not elongate. Lateral line scales plate-like expanded vertically. Breast and anterior part of belly without scales. Vertebrae 36-37 (13-14 precaudal and 22-23 caudal). Pectoral fin with last 3 rays free. Snout steep, prolonged forward by a denticulated and bilobed flattened rostrum.
Biology:  Occasionally forms schools. Found over sand and gravel, crag, and rocks in the continental shelf (Ref. 2723). Feeds on benthic crustaceans, other invertebrates and bottom-dwelling fishes (Ref.4697).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 20 May 2013 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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