Home > Fishes > Gurnards > Dactyloptena orientalis

Updated 7/25/2022

Family Dactylopteridae

INDO-PACIFIC / HAWAII

Dactyloptena orientalis

Kailua Bay, Hawai'i, 35 feet

Hanauma Bay, O'ahu, 5 feet

 

Kahala, O'ahu

 

Juvenile, Haleiwa, O'ahu, 110 feet

 

Lembeh Strait, Sulawesi, Indonesia

 

 

Hickam Harbor, O'ahu

 

Ko'olina, O'ahu, 20 feet


Sharks Cove, O'ahu, 35 feet

Kailua, Oahu
   

FLYING or HELMET GURNARD

A skittish species uncommon over sand or mud at any depth where it feeds upon invertebrates at night.  Broad showy pectoral fins are extended to appear too large to be eaten.  Attains 15 inches.  Red Sea to Japan, Hawai'i, and the Tuamotus.  Replaced by Dactyloptena volitans in the Western Atlantic.