Flying gurnards walk around using their ventral and pectoral fins
We are looking at an overhead image featuring a flying gurnard (left) and peacock flounder (right). Both fish have amazing camouflage skills. This photo was taken at Blue Heron Bridge in West Palm Beach, Florida. Blue Heron Bridge is a very shallow dive site, which allows for a lot of natural sunlight for photography. I was scuba diving about three feet off the bottom following the flying gurnard as it walked around. I noticed it was approaching a peacock flounder. The gurnard did not seem to notice or perhaps care about the flounder. The feeling was mutual. The flounder did not feel like moving, and remained camouflaged and motionless. The flying gurnard continued walking over the peacock flounder and that is when I took this photo.
Flying gurnards are not a commonly seen fish in Florida. They have large eyes, iridescent blue spots, and fan-like pectoral fins. They tend to be shy and can be easily spooked. Flying gurnards walk around using their ventral and pectoral fins. They use their pectoral fins to handle shells and rocks. The flying gurnard in this photo is about a foot long. They grow to be ~18 inches long.
The peacock flounder are interesting creatures with amazing camouflage capabilities. They are not rare, but because they are mainly nocturnal and they have excellent camouflage abilities, they are often missed by divers. Peacock flounder can change their pattern and their brightness to blend in with their surroundings. In fact, one study showed it takes them just eight seconds to change color to their background. Peacock flounder will max out at around 18 inches long, similar to the flying gurnard.
What do peacock flounder eat? They will eat other smaller fish, shrimp, and crabs.
Peacock flounder eat shrimp, crabs, and smaller fish
Did you know?
- Flying gurnards can be found throughout the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico. They can be found all the way up the US East Coast to Massachusetts!
- Peacock flounder are typically found in shallow water.
- Peacock flounder have eyes that are mounted on short stalks. Their eyes are capable of moving independent of each other. This provides a wide range of view for the peacock flounder.
- While a juvenile, the right eye of the peacock flounder will gradually move to the left side of the fish.
- Peacock flounder will bury themselves in sand leaving only their eyes exposed.
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