Dactylopterus volitans (Linnaeus, 1758)
Description
Dorsal spines (total): 7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 8; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 6. Pectoral fin very large and fan-like, with front 6 rays separated as small lobe (Ref. 26938).
Common Names
Taxonomic Hierarchy
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Teleostei
Order: Dactylopteriformes
Family: Dactylopteridae
Genus: Dactylopterus
Species: Dactylopterus volitans (Linnaeus, 1758)
Climate Zone
Location
- Eastern Atlantic: English Channel to Angola, including the Mediterranean, Madeira, and the Azores. Western Atlantic: Canada (Ref. 5951) to Massachusetts, USA and the Gulf of Mexico to Argentina.
Biology
Found on sand, mud or over rocks in sandy areas, exploring the bottom with the free part of the pectoral fins (Ref. 6544). Feeds primarily on benthic crustaceans, especially crabs, clams and small fishes. Neither anterolateral glandural groove nor venom gland is present (Ref. 57406).
Habitat
brackish
Conservation Status
Least Concern
Threat to Humans
Harmless
Dactylopterus volitans (Linnaeus, 1758)