Gurnard ID?

Hi folks, what sort of gurnard is this?

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id say red gurnard.

Looks like s Grey Gurnard from your pic but if it was red with blue tips on the fins it would be a Tub.

That's a Grey Gurnard, no doubt.

[cathalger]

Austrian could be 100% correct. Shape says Red or Tub to me, size of pecs says red or tub too, how long was it dead? A view of the upper side of the pectoral fins would be useful, if blue its a tub as stated above.

Tricky picture. Edit, I think its a Tub, due to shape and lack of red colour???

Last edited by cathalger on Sun Jul 24, 2011 3:08 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Given the location I doubt red. Tubs there are a light coloring but most likely a grey. Loads of both along that stretch at the moment.

some of the Gurnards can have unusual markings, these guys seem to have similar problems with the ID so we are not alone
http://www.worldseafishing.com/forums/s ... p?t=185985
http://www.boat-angling-ireland.com/php ... f=1&t=6696

it a tub 100%

The shape is quite diff between tub/red and grey, grey is distinctive, it shouldnt be difficult to mix it up.

That big concave forehead says tub or red.

I checked a pic I posted recently of a wee grey. None of the 'fingers' under the pectoral fins on the grey I caught, I think this is true of both sexes???????

Greys have pectoral fins only half the size of tub and red, again, I THINK this is true for both sexes, but I wait to be corrected????

Cathal.

In my ignorance I thought this would be an open and shut case!! Don't have any better pics unfortunately. The fish went back alive so no changes in colour due to being dead for a while. I'm veering towards towards tub due to the finger-like projections under the pectorals but I can't remember any blue markings on the fins. I'll be more careful next time I catch a gurnard!

its hard to call between a tub and grey gurnard!

However, i'm more inclined to go with tub gurnard

Grey gurnards have a slight prickly feel to them down along the full length of the lateral line
whereas tub gurnard is smoother along a slightly raised lateral line,
the pectoral fin is significantly larger in the tub gurnard, slightly passing where the anal fin starts and the second (soft) dorsal. (similar to the red gurnard).

so looking back at the picture posted i'm 100% its a tub gurnard..as the pectoral fin is clearly visible past the second dorsal fin

Pardon me Sweetwrasse, I thought the fish looked dead, woops, sorry bout that!

The boys above seem to be leaning towards the Tub and I'd agree. If you can get some images for comparison, definitely look and see if you can find any Grey images with the fingers on the bottom, I dont think Greys have them and your fish does, there are no fingers on the grey I caught recently.

They are a great eating fish but unfortunately, rarely big enough where I boat fish, pity.

EDIT EDIT!
I am badly mistaken, the grey DOES have 3 fingers on each side. They are just collapsed in my picture and lying along the pectoral fin as if they are part of it!!! SORRY.

The following comes from 'habitas.org' page on grey gurnard, it backs up what Steve (and the Austrian) says above re difficulty in differentiating Tub and Grey AND it means you can disregard my post above too.

"Similar Species: Greyish coloured tub gurnards might sometimes be confused with this species however grey gurnards have a dark spot on the first dorsal fin and do not have blue markings on their pectoral fins."

Cathal.

Thanks for the replies guys, it seems to be even worse than rockling ID I did get some big red Gurnard off a boat a few weeks back and took one for the pan, they are great eating fish alright, nice firm flesh.
I'm going to research this a bit more when I get time but for now I'll say Tub based on the size of the pectorals and the absence of a dark spot on the first dorsal. Either way it's a new species for the list so happy days

Its a Tub gurnard 100% loads on the east coast beaches at the moment

Looks like a Tub to me too.

defo a tub