Tub Gurnard

The tub gurnard (Chelidonichthys lucerna) is a large, colorful bottom-dwelling fish of the gurnard family, Triglidae, found throughout the northeastern Atlantic and Mediterranean Sea. It is the largest of the common European gurnards and is easily recognized by its vivid reddish body and enormous, wing-like pectoral fins edged in vivid blue and green. Like other gurnards, it uses three separated, finger-like lower fin rays to walk across the seafloor while foraging. The species can produce distinct grunting sounds using muscles associated with the swim bladder. Tub gurnard are common across sandy and muddy coastal seafloor throughout their range and are not considered at conservation risk.

Tub gurnard are identified by their large size, vivid coloration, and dramatic pectoral fins.

• Body: robust, tapering, with a large, bony, armored head bearing prominent spines on the gill cover
• Coloration: reddish to reddish-brown above, paler below, often with a marbled pattern
• Pectoral fins: very large and rounded, brilliant blue-green on the inner surface with a pale outer edge, spread wide when the fish is disturbed
• Size: typically 30-50 cm, up to about 75 cm, the largest common European gurnard

Its notably larger size and vivid blue-green pectoral fin coloring distinguish it clearly from the duller, pale-spotted grey gurnard.

Tub gurnard range across the northeastern Atlantic from Norway and the British Isles south through the Bay of Biscay to the Mediterranean and northwestern Africa. They inhabit sandy, muddy, and mixed seafloor habitats on the continental shelf, typically at depths from shallow inshore waters down to around 300 meters, with adults often found somewhat deeper than juveniles. The species tolerates a range of temperatures and salinities and is regularly found in coastal bays and estuarine-influenced waters as well as more open shelf habitat. It favors open, soft seafloor rather than rocky or reef structure.

Tub gurnard forage along the seafloor using their separated lower fin rays to detect and probe for buried prey such as crustaceans, small fish, and mollusks. When threatened or displaying, they spread their large, brightly colored pectoral fins, which may serve to startle predators or signal to other gurnards. They can produce grunting sounds by vibrating muscles against the swim bladder. The species undertakes seasonal movements, shifting to deeper offshore water in colder months and returning to shallower coastal habitats as temperatures rise. Spawning occurs in warmer months, with pelagic eggs released into open water. As an active bottom predator, tub gurnard contribute to shelf-sea invertebrate and small-fish population dynamics.