A quite rare fish in UK waters and particularly so in the North Sea where this picture was taken. The streaked gurnard or Chelidonichthys lastoviza is distinguished from other gurnards principally by its blunt snout and steeply sloping face profile. It feeds exclusively on small crustaceans such as swimming crabs which it can detect under the sand or mud with its spines just under the gill cover. These really are an extension of the pectoral fins and are well equipped with sensory organs. When observing gurnards underwater, they do appear to use these spines as legs as they move forward, sensing the ground as they go.

A quite rare fish in UK waters and particularly so in the North Sea where this picture was taken. The streaked gurnard or Chelidonichthys lastoviza is distinguished from other gurnards principally by its blunt snout and steeply sloping face profile. It feeds exclusively on small crustaceans such as swimming crabs which it can detect under the sand or mud with its spines just under the gill cover. These really are an extension of the pectoral fins and are well equipped with sensory organs. When observing gurnards underwater, they do appear to use these spines as legs as they move forward, sensing the ground as they go.