Sea Robins

This a sea robin, a member of the family triglidae. They are a fairly expansive family a fish that inhabit the shallower waters of the ocean. They are bottom feeders, eating crabs and small fish that hide beneath the sand. They are named "sea robins" after their large, bird-like pectoral fins, which can open and close like wings.

Sea robins can have a large variety of colors. Males of some species are particularly colorful, which is most likely to draw the attention of mates, but also may be a useful camouflage in colorful reef areas.

The most peculiar feature of sea robins, and maybe what they are not known for, are the spiny "legs" that move them along the bottom. These are not actually legs though, they are extensions of the pectoral fins which have gained the ability to move independently. They do not really use the legs to move, but to sort and probe through the sea floor as they mover over it, looking for food.

The strange appearance of a sea robin in motion.

Sea robins also possess an extremely bony skull, which may be to protect them from predation from above.

One last unique feature of sea robins is the muscle behind in their torso which can produce a loud, frog-like sound. This sound also gave them the onomatopoeic name "gurnard". They make this sound when caught in defense, but it may also be used in mating.

Example of the sound:
http://www.dosits.org/files/dosits/searobin.mp3

Recently, sea robins have gained massive popularity in the fishing industry, mostly by recreational fishers. Though they do not provide a massive amount of meat (they have a lot of bony plates, making meat scarce), many people find them delicious.

And it does look pretty appetizing!

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