Scientific name : Dactyloptena orientalis
Family : Dactylopteridae (flying gurnards, 7 species)
Size : Up to 30 cm
Distribution : Indo-Pacific, from Madagascar to Polynesia
Biology : Like the gurnards found on our coasts, this species has large pectoral fins that spread out like wings, as well as fins that have been modified into “legs” allowing it to walk on sandy bottoms.
However, the oriental flying gurnard is not actually related to European gurnards at all. It is a remarkable example of evolutionary convergence: a phenomenon where different species independently develop similar adaptations in response to comparable environmental pressures.
IUCN status : Least concern