Home · Triglidae · Longfin gurnard
Longfin gurnard (Lepidotrigla argus) — Triglidae

Longfin gurnard

Lepidotrigla argus
Family: Triglidae

The Longfin gurnard (Lepidotrigla argus) is a saltwater fish of the family Triglidae that grows up to 18 cm.

Length
18 cm
Water
Saltwater
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Oceania: Australia, Papua New Guinea

Want the complete picture on the Longfin gurnard?

Get the app

Description

The Longfin gurnard is a gurnard or searobin (Triglidae) from coastal waters of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 15 cm and has a stocky, reddish body with a bony, spiny head and large, fan-shaped pectoral fins; the lower pectoral rays are free, finger-like feelers with which it 'walks' over the bottom and detects prey. As a bottom-dweller it searches sand and mud bottoms for small crustaceans and worms and can make grunting sounds with its swim bladder. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Longfin gurnard?

The Longfin gurnard has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly red-orange.

Where does the Longfin gurnard live?

The Longfin gurnard lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Oceania: Australia, Papua New Guinea

How big does the Longfin gurnard get?

The Longfin gurnard grows to a maximum of about 18 cm.

Is the Longfin gurnard dangerous to humans?

No, the Longfin gurnard is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

More photos

Longfin gurnard (Lepidotrigla argus) — Triglidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Ken Graham, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Longfin gurnard (Lepidotrigla argus) — Triglidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Ken Graham, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Longfin gurnard (Lepidotrigla argus) — Triglidae — 4
Australian National Fish Collection, CSIRO (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF
Longfin gurnard (Lepidotrigla argus) — Triglidae — 5
Ken Graham (CC BY 4.0) via GBIF — AM
Fin

Want the complete picture on the Longfin gurnard?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Longfin gurnard is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →

All data

Identification

English name
Longfin gurnard sourced
Scientific name
Lepidotrigla argus
Family
Triglidae
Other names
Gurnard; Long-finned gurnard; Eye gurnard verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
18.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Natural range
Oceania: Australia, Papua New Guinea sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Lepidotrigla

More from the family Triglidae

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Longfin gurnard?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Longfin gurnard is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →
Is this the Longfin gurnard? Get the app