Triglidae

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Triglidae, known as gurnards or sea robins, are bottom-dwelling fishes found in temperate and tropical seas worldwide. They are carnivores that feed mainly on crustaceans, small fish, and mollusks, and they often hunt along the seafloor.

Key features
- They have two dorsal fins (the first with 7–11 spines, the second with 10–23 soft rays) and a sturdy, sometimes armored head.
- A distinctive pair of long, separated walking rays extend from each side of the lower part of the pectoral fins. These rays can move like legs to help the fish walk along the seabed and sense prey by taste.
- They can produce sounds by using a specialized drum muscle that strikes the swim bladder, giving them a croaking or drumming noise.
- Their heads are bony and often have a casque-like shape.

Size and appearance
- Bloodline sizes range from the small spotwing gurnard at about 10 cm to the tub gurnard at up to about 75 cm. Most species are around 30–40 cm, with females typically larger than males.
- They have a solid skull and, in many species, armored body plates.

Habitat and lifestyle
- Gurnards live from shallow coastal waters down to about 200 meters deep. Adults prefer deeper waters, while juveniles are found closer to shore.
- They are bottom dwellers and use their walking rays to feel and locate prey on the sea floor.

Reproduction
- Spawning periods differ among species and genera, with some examples like the tub gurnard and the red gurnard having specific, seasonally defined breeding times.

Human use
- Gurnard flesh is firm and white, good for soups and stews, and they are often used in dishes like bouillabaisse. Their popularity has risen as other fish have become less sustainable, and they are now commonly sold in markets, including the United States.
- They are typically caught with bait or lures on the seafloor and can also be used as bait by other fisheries.

There are roughly 170 Triglidae species across about 14 genera, divided into several subgroups.