Red gurnard

Seekuckuck ( Chelidonichthys cuculus )

The Seekuckuck ( Chelidonichthys cuculus; Syn Aspitrigla cuculus ) is a kind of gurnard ( Triglidae ) within the Perciformes ( Perciformes ). Its range extends from Norway to West Africa, he is also to be found in the North Sea and the Mediterranean.

Features

The Seekuckuck has an elongated and cone-shaped body with a large head which is narrower towards the rear. It reaches a body length of an average of 40 centimeters and a weight of about 1 kg, the maximum length is 56 centimeters. The head has a large mouth with fleshy lips and terminated and 4 small spines on the upper lip, the eyes are very large. The back and sides are reddish with dark cross bands, the belly is white. The top of the pectoral fin is gray, yellowish or reddish.

The pectoral fins are formed large, the front three hard jets do not have fins and skin are used as stand alone rays freely. The pelvic fins are throat constantly. The dorsal fin is divided, the first hartstrahlige dorsal fin is much shorter and higher than the second weichstrahlige. The anterior dorsal fin consists of 9 to 10 hard jets, the second from 17-18 soft rays. The anal fin has 16 to 18 soft rays.

Dissemination

The Seekuckuck is as well to be found in the northeastern Atlantic from Great Britain and the North Sea to West Africa and around the Azores and the Canary Islands in the Mediterranean.

Way of life

The fish lives in sandy and rocky areas in depth from 20 to 250, but it can also occur to a depth of 400 meters. The Seekuckuck feeds on crustaceans, molluscs and small fish. The spawning season during April to August. The eggs are released into the open water and float on the basis of the stored oil droplets in the surface water. The maximum known age is 21 years.

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