The Tub Gurnard, scientifically known as Chelidonichthys lucerna, is a fascinating fish species found in the depths of the world’s oceans. This gurnard species is characterized by its distinctive physical features and its interesting habitat preferences.
Description & Characteristics
The Tub Gurnard, Chelidonichthys lucerna, is a relatively large species, reaching a maximum size of 82.8 cm. Its body shape is typically elongated and compressed, with a prominent head and large eyes. The most striking feature of this gurnard is the presence of three finger-like appendages, or “feelers,” located on its chin. These appendages are used for sensory purposes, helping the fish to navigate and locate prey in the murky depths of its habitat. The Tub Gurnard’s body is covered in scales, and it has a distinctive dorsal fin with a prominent spine at its anterior end.
Habitat and Occurrence
The Tub Gurnard, Chelidonichthys lucerna, is a demersal fish, meaning it lives primarily on or near the seabed. This species has a wide depth range, typically inhabiting areas between 20.0 and 318.0 meters. This depth range places the Tub Gurnard within the bathyal zone, characterized by its dim light and limited visibility. The distribution of Chelidonichthys lucerna includes various marine ecosystems, including the Mediterranean Sea, the North Atlantic Ocean, and the Northeast Atlantic Ocean. This wide distribution suggests the species’ adaptability to different environmental conditions.
Taxonomy
The species Chelidonichthys lucerna belongs to the Class: Teleostei, Order: Perciformes, and Family: Triglidae. The Teleostei class encompasses a vast array of bony fishes, distinguished by their advanced skeletal structures and a wide range of adaptations. The Perciformes order, often referred to as the perch-like fishes, comprises a diverse group known for their spiny dorsal fins and their predominantly carnivorous diets. The Triglidae family, to which Chelidonichthys lucerna belongs, is a group of specialized demersal fishes characterized by their finger-like appendages, adapted for foraging on the seabed. This taxonomic classification highlights the evolutionary lineage of Chelidonichthys lucerna and its relationships to other fish species.
Feeding
The Tub Gurnard, Chelidonichthys lucerna, is a carnivorous fish with a varied diet. Its feeding habits include the consumption of a range of organisms found on the seabed, including crustaceans, fish (including little fishes), snails, and worms. This opportunistic feeding strategy allows Chelidonichthys lucerna to adapt to changing food availability and prey abundance in its habitat.
Image References