Scientific Name
Chelidonichthys kumu

Common Name
Bluefin gurnard

Biology
Found from estuaries to edge of continental shelves over sand and sandy shell seabed (Ref. 9258). Reported to be often found in rivers (Ref. 4316). Juveniles may occur in bays (Ref. 33616). Benthic (Ref. 58302). Dorsal spine reported to be venomous (Ref. 9771). Neither anterolateral glandular grooves nor venom gland is present (Ref. 57406). Current information in the table (dangerous fish) do not match; needs verification. Excellent food fish (Ref. 9771). Utilized fresh and frozen; eaten pan-fried, broiled, microwaved and baked (Ref. 9988).

Classification

Classified By

Cuvier, 1829

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Scorpionfishes and Flatheads (Scorpaeniformes)

Family

Searobins (Triglidae)

Distribution

Region

Indo-West Pacific

Distribution

Indo-West Pacific: Delagoa Bay, Mozambique to the Cape, South Africa; common in Australia and New Zealand and reported from Japan and Korea. Also reported from Hong Kong (Ref. 12086).

Range

34°N - 43°S

Environment

Climate

Subtropical

Water Temperature From

Unknown °C

Water Temperature To

Unknown °C

Depth From - meters

1 m

Depth To - meters

200 m

Zone

demersal

Environment

Marine; brackish; demersal; depth range 1 - 200 m (Ref. 4316), usually 75 - 150 m (Ref. 33616)

Trophic Level

3.68 s.e. 0.57 Based on food items.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

True

Occurs in Brackish water

True

Occurs in Fresh Water

False

Occurs on Reefs

False

Is kept in Aquariums

False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

60.0 cm

Common Length

40.0 cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.5020 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: commercial

Vulnerability

Low to moderate vulnerability (29 of 100)

Resilience

Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (K=0.4-0.6; tm=2-3; tmax=15;)

Threat To Humans

Venomous (Ref. 9771)

IUCN Red List Status

Least Concern (LC)