Bluefin gurnard (Chelidonichthys kumu)

Scientific name: Chelidonichthys kumu Cuvier, 1829

The Bluefin gurnard (Chelidonichthys kumu) is a brackish-water fish of the family Triglidae.

Biology

Found from estuaries to edge of continental shelves over sand and sandy shell seabed. Reported to be often found in rivers. Juveniles may occur in bays. Benthic. Dorsal spine reported to be venomous. Neither anterolateral glandular grooves nor venom gland is present. Current information in the table (dangerous fish) do not match; needs verification. Excellent food fish. Utilized fresh and frozen; eaten pan-fried, broiled, microwaved and baked.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Chelidonichthys kumu
Family: Triglidae (Searobins)
Order: Scorpaeniformes (Scorpionfishes and Flatheads)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 60.0
Common length: 40.0
Depth range: 1–200 m (3–656 ft)
Environment: Marine; brackish; demersal; depth range 1 - 200 m, usually 75 - 150 m
Climate: Subtropical
Distribution: Indo-West Pacific: Delagoa Bay, Mozambique to the Cape, South Africa; common in Australia and New Zealand and reported from Japan and Korea. Also reported from Hong Kong.
Conservation status (IUCN): Least Concern (LC)
Threat to humans: Venomous
Uses: Fisheries: commercial
Resilience: Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (K=0.4-0.6; tm=2-3; tmax=15;)

Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Last updated 27 September 2026