Chelidonichthys lucerna (Linnaeus, 1758)
Tub gurnard
Chelidonichthys lucerna
photo by Pillon, R.

Family:  Triglidae (Searobins), subfamily: Triglinae
Max. size:  82.8 cm TL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 6,640.0 g; max. reported age: 15 years
Environment:  demersal; marine; depth range 20 - 318 m
Distribution:  Eastern Atlantic: Norway to Cape Blanc (along the African coast); not recorded at Madeira and the Azores. Also in the Mediterranean and Black seas.
Diagnosis:  Longest ray in the pectoral fin reaching the front part of the anal fin. Lateral line scales smooth. Reddish color (Ref. 35388).
Biology:  Occurs at temperatures ranging from 8.0-24.0 °C (Ref. 4944). Inhabits sand, muddy sand or gravel bottoms. Up to depth of 318 m in the eastern Ionian Sea (Ref. 56504). Feeds on fish, crustaceans and mollusks. Has three isolated rays on the pectoral fin which function as legs on which the fish rests and also help in locating food on the soft bottom (Ref. 9988). Marketed fresh or frozen; eaten pan-fried, broiled, microwaved or baked (Ref. 9988).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 25 May 2012 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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