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Armoured gurnard (Peristedion liorhynchus) — Peristediidae

Armoured gurnard

Peristedion liorhynchus
Family: Peristediidae

The Armoured gurnard (Peristedion liorhynchus) is a saltwater fish of the family Peristediidae that grows up to 40 cm.

Length
40 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
140–380 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Deeper water; continental shelf and slope.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The armored searobin is an armored searobin (Peristediidae) from deeper waters of the ocean. The species has an elongate body fully armoured with bony plates, two forward projections on the snout and bearded barbels on the lower jaw. The lower pectoral fin rays are freed into feeler fingers with which it 'walks' over the bottom and probes the soft bottom for small crustaceans and worms. It lives on the continental shelf and slope. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Armoured gurnard?

The Armoured gurnard has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly red-orange and shows a plain pattern. Fully armoured with bony plates and snout projections; 'walks' on separate pectoral fin rays and probes the bottom.

Where does the Armoured gurnard live?

The Armoured gurnard lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Deeper water; continental shelf and slope.

How big does the Armoured gurnard get?

The Armoured gurnard grows to a maximum of about 40 cm.

Is the Armoured gurnard dangerous to humans?

No, the Armoured gurnard is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Armoured gurnard edible?

The Armoured gurnard is not usually eaten.

More photos

Armoured gurnard (Peristedion liorhynchus) — Peristediidae — 2
Australian National Fish Collection, CSIRO (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF
Armoured gurnard (Peristedion liorhynchus) — Peristediidae — 3
Indiana Riley (CC BY 4.0) via GBIF — AM
Armoured gurnard (Peristedion liorhynchus) — Peristediidae — 4
Wikimedia Commons — Dianne J. Bray / Museum Victoria (CC BY 3.0)
Armoured gurnard (Peristedion liorhynchus) — Peristediidae — 5
Australian National Fish Collection, CSIRO (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF

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All data

Identification

English name
Armoured gurnard verified
Scientific name
Peristedion liorhynchus
Family
Peristediidae
Other names
Armoured gurnard; Sea robin; Slender armour gurnard; Smoothnose armoured gurnard; Smooth-nosed searobin verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
40 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange
Pattern
Plain
Tail shape
Straight
Mouth position
Inferior (downward)
Lips
Thick / fleshy
Barbels
Yes sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
140 verified
Max depth (m)
380 verified
Natural range
Deeper water; continental shelf and slope.
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small crustaceans and worms sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary
Territorial
No
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known.
Special features
Fully armoured with bony plates and snout projections; 'walks' on separate pectoral fin rays and probes the bottom. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed.
Regulations source

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Peristedion

More from the family Peristediidae

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