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Old "FOTW" entries and blog archives
Ichthyology:
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12/06/02
When longlining for bluefin tuna (Thunnus maccoyi), commercial fishers sometimes catch specimens of Gasterochisma melampus instead. Common names for this temperate oceanic species include Bigscaled Mackerel, Butterfly Mackerel, Butterfly Kingfish, Butterfly Tuna, and Grootskub-makriel. The "butterfly" descriptor comes from the appearance of juvenile and sub-adults of the species (shown above). Adults lose the distinctively large pelvic fin morphology and look much more like an ordinary scombrid.
Like most fast-moving predators of the sea, butterfly mackerel eat other fishes and squid. Bird feathers have been found in their stomachs.
Also like some other scombrids, butterfly mackerel exhibit endothermy, the ability to warm their bodies. While most tunas use their heat throughout their swimming muscles, butterfly mackerel use the ability to keep only their brains and retinas toasty.
More Butterfly Kingfish
- A comprehensive and info-packed page (with lots of pics) at Te Papa (the Museum of New Zealand)
- Ever-useful FishBase has a terrific and up-to-date entry for this species
12/01/02
The Flying Gurnard
Dactyloptena orientalis is a fantastically beautiful fish with winglike pectoral fins that--when extended--make it look as if it's flying across the sandy bottoms it prefers. There is some confusion as to which taxonomic family these tiny gurnards belong to, but I'm going with Dactylopteridae rather than Triglidae (sea robins). Like its relatives, the flying gurnard uses its fins to create an intimidating display.
Found in the Indian Ocean, the flying gurnard snacks on little fishes, worms, and shrimp. They are also known as the Oriental Helmet Gurnard, presumably due to their resemblance to samurai headgear. They are very popular with salt-water aquarium enthusiasts.
More Flying Gurnards
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