Identification
The most common gurnard in the Netherlands, 25 to 40 cm. Grey-brown upper side with light spots. Less colorful than the tub gurnard. Pectoral fins grey with dark spots. Three free fin rays present.
Behavior & ecology
Lives on sand and mud bottoms at 10 to 200 meters. Active hunter of shrimp, swimming crabs, small flatfish, and sand eels. Produces grunting sounds. Sometimes schools.
Fishing techniques
Bites eagerly on shrimp, worm, and fish strips. The most caught gurnard species when sea fishing.
In the Netherlands
Common throughout the North Sea. Caught both commercially and recreationally. Well-known bycatch when boat fishing for cod and whiting.
