The bluefin gurnard is a common bottom-dwelling fish throughout the Indian and Pacific Oceans. Its colouring may seem drab and unimpressive, camouflaging it well with the seafloor - until it spreads its brilliant blue pectoral fins.
Just in front of these fins, you might notice that it appears to have a set of little “legs” that help it creep along. These are not actually legs but are modified rays of its fins, which the gurnards use to stir up the sand to find prey – small crustaceans. They are predators that feed on small crabs and shrimp.
Gurnard's bodies are long and compact, with armoured, bone-plated heads.
Also known as a Pacific red gurnard, cabra-kumu or blouvin knorhaan.
A similar species, the Cape gurnard, lacks a blue edge on its pectoral fins.
Grows up to 25cm – but rare specimens up to 60cm have been spotted.