Dactyloptena peterseni (Nyström, 1887)
Starry flying gurnard
Dactyloptena peterseni
photo by Khalaf, M.A.

Family:  Dactylopteridae (Flying gurnards)
Max. size:  36 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; marine; depth range - 400 m
Distribution:  Indo-West Pacific: East Africa to Japan and the Ogasawara Islands, south to northern Australia, including the Arafura Sea (Ref. 9819). Russia in Peter the Great Bay, northward to Olga Bay (Ref. 56557).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 6-6; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-9; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 6-6
Biology:  Found on the shelf and shelf edge (Ref. 11230), over sandy bottoms in coastal areas. Feeds on benthic crustaceans (Ref. 5213). Rarely used as food.
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 02 March 2015 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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