Home > Fishes > Gurnards, Sea Robins, Poachers

Updated 7/10/2020

Family Dactylopteridae

Helmet Gurnards

Small family of bottom dwellers that feed upon buried invertebrates at night.  Their broad showy pectoral fins are extended to appear too large to be eaten.

INDO-PACIFIC / HAWAII

Dactyloptena orientalis

HELMET GURNARD

 

Family Peristediidae

Armored Sea Robins

These armored fishes with two large barbels occur over soft bottoms in very deep water.

EAST ASIA / HAWAII

Scalicus engyceros

LARGE ARMORED SEA ROBIN

 

Family Agonidae

Poachers

Armored benthic fishes of temperate & cold water.  They feed upon invertebrates and most species prefer deep water.

NORTHEAST PACIFIC

Agonopsis sterletus

SOUTHERN SPEARNOSE POACHER