Grey gurnard
(Eutrigla gurnardus)

Image source: Jo's Animal Database

Classification

Species: Eutrigla gurnardus
Genus: Eutrigla

General data

Scientific names: Grey gurnard
Habitat: Saltwater
Climates: Subtropical, Temperate
Native to coasts of: Africa, Europe, Asia

The grey gurnard (Eutrigla gurnardus) is a species of ray-finned fish from the family Triglidae, the gurnards and sea robins.

It is native to the eastern Atlantic Ocean, the Mediterranean Sea, and the Black Sea. It is caught as a food fish and is known for producing sounds. It is the only member of the monotypic genus Eutrigla.

The grey gurnard has a large head but does not have a deep occipital groove. There are two dorsal fins, the first has 7–10 spines and the second has 18–20 rays. The anal fin has 17–20 rays, the pectoral fins are short, just extending as far as the anal fin origin. The scales along the lateral line are slightly larger than the scales covering the body and have a spiny keel and a toothed rear edge. The breast is naked of scales while the belly is partially covered in scales.

The colour of this fish is variable but it is usually greyish-brown, rarely dull red, and tinged with red on its back and flanks. The underside is cream-coloured and the back and flanks are usually covered with small white spots.

The first dorsal fin has a large, circular black mark.

It can grow to a maximum total length of 60 centimetres (24 in), although a more common total length is 30 centimetres (12 in) while the maximum published weight is 956 grams (2.108 lb).

The grey gurnard occurs in the eastern Atlantic Ocean from Iceland and Norway south to Morocco, it is found in the North Sea and the southern Baltic Sea as well as off Madeira. In the Mediterranean Sea, its range extends from eastern Spain to Turkey and into the Black Sea.