Grey Gurnard

The grey gurnard (Eutrigla gurnardus) is a bottom-dwelling fish of the gurnard family, Triglidae, widely distributed across the northeastern Atlantic and Mediterranean Sea. Like other gurnards, it has a heavily armored, bony head and large pectoral fins with three separate, finger-like lower rays used to 'walk' along and probe the seafloor. The species is common on sandy and muddy continental shelf bottoms and is frequently encountered throughout its range. It can produce audible grunting or growling sounds using muscles associated with its swim bladder, a trait shared across the gurnard family. The grey gurnard is abundant and not considered at conservation risk.

Grey gurnard are identified by their armored head and characteristic walking fin rays.

• Head: large, bony, and heavily plated with ridges, without long spines projecting from the gill cover
• Coloration: grey-brown to reddish-brown above with small pale spots scattered along the upper body, paler below
• Pectoral fins: large, rounded, often bluish on the inner surface, with three separate lower rays
• Body: tapering, moderately elongated
• Size: typically 20-30 cm, up to about 50 cm

The lack of long gill-cover spines and the pale-spotted back distinguish it from the similarly sized tub gurnard, which shows brighter red-orange pectoral fins and a smoother back pattern.

Grey gurnard are widespread across the northeastern Atlantic, from Norway and Iceland south to the Mediterranean Sea, including the North Sea and waters around the British Isles. They inhabit sandy, muddy, and mixed seafloor on the continental shelf, typically at depths from around 10 to over 200 meters, with adults generally found deeper than juveniles. The species tolerates a range of temperatures and is one of the most common bottom-dwelling fish across much of its range. It favors open, unstructured seafloor rather than rocky reef habitat, where its walking fin rays are well adapted for foraging.

Grey gurnard forage along the seafloor using their separated lower pectoral fin rays to probe sand and mud for buried prey such as small crustaceans, worms, and fish. They are capable of producing grunting or growling sounds by vibrating muscles against the swim bladder, likely used in communication, particularly during interactions with other gurnards or when disturbed. The species undertakes seasonal depth migrations, moving into deeper water during colder months and toward shallower areas as temperatures rise. Spawning occurs in the water column during spring and summer, producing pelagic eggs. As an abundant bottom predator, grey gurnard play a significant role in shelf-sea food webs.