Flying Gurnard
Dactyloptena orientalis
The Winged Sand-Walker (16 inches / 40 cm). A bizarre bottom-dweller that walks on the sand using modified fins as 'legs' and opens massive butterfly-like wings when startled.
Température de l’eau
24 - 28 °C
Valeur du pH
8.1 - 8.4
Type d'eau
Marin
Niveau dans le bac
Fond
Taille adulte
40 cm
Volume minimal du bac
>= 500 L
Groupe minimal
>= 1
KH
4 - 6 dKH
Description de l'espèce
Geographical Origin and Habitat: MARINE species widely distributed in the Indo-Pacific, from the Red Sea to Japan and Australia. Inhabits extensive sandy expanses, seagrass beds, and shallow bays at the edges of coral reefs.
Taxonomy and Morphology: Flying Gurnard / Oriental Flying Gurnard (Dactyloptena orientalis). Marine armored benthic fish of the Dactylopteridae family. Possesses massive wing-like fan pectoral fins and separated pelvic "fingers" to "walk" on the sand.
Social Behavior: Peaceful, but an opportunistic invertebrate predator. Spends most of its time "walking" on the sandy bottom probing the substrate in search of food. Suddenly opens its huge pectoral fins if frightened.
Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Square and armored body, of a camouflaging gray-brown color. The real show is constituted by the immense pectoral fins, bordered with brilliant iridescent blue and covered with dark spots and ocelli. Absence of sexual dimorphism.
Soins, reproduction et cohabitation
Aquarium Setup: Huge MARINE aquarium (minimum 1000-1500 liters / 250-400 gallons). Mandatory requirement: a vast floor footprint covered with live fine sand (sugar sand). Not recommended to add too much live rock that would limit movement.
Diet and Feeding: Bottom carnivore. In nature, it feeds on buried crustaceans and bivalves. In the tank, it must be fed with pieces of whole shrimp, pacifica krill, mussel meat, and live small crabs. Feeding may require patience using long tongs.
Water Quality: Demands perfect and stable marine parameters (Salinity 1.020-1.025, pH 8.1-8.4). An efficient protein skimmer is essential to manage the high organic load resulting from its massive feeding.
Compatibility and Cohabitation: NOT suitable for reef aquariums (Reef Safe), as it would eat ornamental snails, hermit crabs, and shrimp. Compatible with peaceful medium or large marine fish swimming in the water column (e.g. Tangs, Angelfish).
Aquarium Breeding: Never achieved in captivity. They are pelagic fish in the larval phase and require oceanic conditions for development. No documented attempts have been successful in private aquariums.
Risks and Diseases: Due to the absence of classic scales, it is very sensitive to skin infections and marine parasites (Cryptocaryon, Oodinium). Use of copper is not recommended, tolerated only at carefully monitored doses.
Origine et répartition géographiques
MARINE species widely distributed in the Indo-Pacific, from the Red Sea to Japan and Australia. Inhabits extensive sandy expanses, seagrass beds, and shallow bays at the edges of coral reefs.
Origine
Océans tropicaux et récifsAsie de l'EstAustralie, Nouvelle-Guinée et Océanie
Profil de poisson
- Tempérament
- Semi-aggressive
- The Flying Gurnard is a peaceful, slow-moving fish that relies on its camouflage rather than aggression. It is easily outcompeted for food by fast, aggressive tank mates like triggers or large wrasses. It requires a calm environment where it can peacefully scour the sand bed unbothered.
- Régime alimentaire
- Omnivore
- In nature, it uses its modified pelvic fins to 'walk' along the substrate, feeling for buried invertebrates and small fish. In the aquarium, it requires a diet of meaty foods such as pieces of raw shrimp, squid, clams, and marine fish flesh. Getting them to accept prepared foods can be difficult, so live or fresh-frozen offerings are usually necessary.
- Espérance de vie
- 5-10 years
- Taille adulte
- 40 cm
- Ratio des sexes
- Solitary
- There are no obvious external differences between males and females of this species. They are almost always kept as single specimens in home aquariums due to the immense space requirements for housing even one adult. Consequently, maintaining a specific sex ratio is not a concern for hobbyists.
- Fréquence d'alimentation
- Twice daily
- Due to its size and predatory nature, it should be fed substantial meaty meals once or twice a day. Care must be taken to ensure the food reaches the bottom of the tank, as they are slow, deliberate feeders that will not compete well in the water column. Using a feeding stick is often the best way to ensure they get enough to eat.
- Charge biologique
- High
- The Oriental Flying Gurnard produces a heavy bioload due to its large adult size and carnivorous diet. It requires excellent mechanical and biological filtration to handle the substantial waste generated from feeding on meaty foods. A large protein skimmer and frequent water changes are essential to maintain the high water quality it needs.
- Courant
- Moderate
- Dactyloptena orientalis needs steady, moderate circulation distributed across the aquarium rather than a narrow, forceful jet. Huge MARINE aquarium (minimum 1000-1500 liters / 250-400 gallons). Mandatory requirement: a vast floor footprint covered with live fine sand (sugar sand). This preserves useful water exchange while retaining calmer shelter for rest and feeding.
- Risque de saut
- Yes
- Despite being a heavy, bottom-dwelling fish, they possess large pectoral fins and can startle easily, leading to a moderate jump risk. If harassed or panicked, they may dart upward toward the surface. A secure lid is always recommended, especially during the initial acclimation period.
- Reproduction
- Oviparous
- Breeding the Oriental Flying Gurnard in captivity is entirely undocumented. In the wild, they are pelagic spawners that release buoyant eggs into the open ocean currents. Replicating the necessary environmental triggers and rearing the planktonic larvae is currently beyond the scope of home aquariums.
- Compatibilité et compagnons
- Peaceful
- This is a bottom-dwelling predator that will consume any small fish, crustaceans, or worms it can fit into its mouth. It is generally peaceful toward larger fish but should not be trusted with small gobies, blennies, or ornamental shrimp. It should be housed in a large fish-only with live rock (FOWLR) tank alongside other peaceful, large tank mates.
- Niveau dans le bac
- Bottom
- This fish is exclusively a bottom dweller, spending its entire life 'walking' or resting on the substrate. It requires a very large footprint with a deep, fine sandy bed to forage naturally without damaging its delicate pelvic fins. It will only rarely swim up into the water column.
Modèles et paramètres scientifiques
FishBase
Fenêtre sur les données scientifiques officielles de l’espèce
FishBase v25.04Données synchronisées le : 15/06/2026
- Niveau trophique
- 3,7 ± 0,55 se
- Résilience
- Élevée (moins de 15 mois)
- Temps de génération
- 0,7 ans
- Singularité phylogénétique (PD50)
- 0.5235
- Relation bayésienne longueur-poids
- a = 0.00794, b = 3.1
- VulnérabilitéVulnérabilité faible (18 / 100)
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