Description: Gurnards are very distinctive bottom-living fish with large heads and eyes. The head is protected by large bony plates and strong spines. The lower three rays of the pectoral fins are separate, finger-like processes that contain sensory organs. These are used by the gurnard to 'feel' for small fish, crustaceans and other invertebrates living in the sediment. The red gurnard has a stout body, large head and eyes and moderately large scales. It is one of the smallest of the European gurnards reaching a maximum length of 40cm. The coloration is bright red with pinkish-silver mottling on the sides and head. The protective bony plates on the head which are characteristic of all gurnards are very conspicuous in this species. Along the lateral line there is a row of large, plate-like scales.

Habitat: This is a relatively uncommon fish which can be found on a variety of seabeds including sand, gravel, mud and even rock. It mainly feeds on small fish and a variety of bottom-living invertebrates.

Distribution: The red gurnard is widely distributed around the coasts of Britain and Ireland but is absent from most of the east coast of Britain.

Similar Species: This species may be confused with the tub gurnard (Trigla lucerna) which can also have a reddish coloration, however the tub gurnard has brilliant blue markings on the pectoral fins which are characteristic.

Key Identification Features:

• Large head with steep profile
• Conspicuous bony plates on head
• Red colour with pinkish-silver mottling
• Each pectoral fin has three finger-like feelers
• Row of large plate-like scales along lateral line

Distribution Map from NBN: Aspitrigla cuculus at National Biodiversity Network mapping facility, data for UK.

iNaturalist: Aspitrigla cuculus at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.

WoRMS: Aspitrigla cuculus at World Register of Marine Species. Accepted name: Chelidonichthys cuculus (Linnaeus, 1758). AphiaID: 127259.

Classification: Biota; Animalia; Chordata; Vertebrata; Gnathostomata; Osteichthyes; Actinopterygii; Actinopteri; Teleostei; Perciformes; Scorpaenoidei; Triglidae; Aspitrigla