Florent's Guide To The

French Polynesia

Oriental Flying Gurnard
Dactyloptena orientalis
Oriental Flying Gurnard
Also known as: Helmut Gurnard, Helmet Gurnard
Category: Flying Gurnards
Scientific Name: Dactyloptena orientalis
Size: Up to 15 in. (38 cm)  
Depth: 3-200 ft. (1-60 m)
Distribution: Indo-Pacific, Hawaii, Red Sea, French Polynesia
Chordata (Phylum)
└Vertebrata (Subphylum)
 └Osteichthyes (Parvphylum)
  └Actinopterygii (Gigaclass)
   └Actinopteri (Superclass)
    └Teleostei (Class)
     └Dactylopteriformes (Order)
      └Dactylopteridae (Family)
       └Dactyloptena (Genus)
        └D. orientalis (Species)

Bottom Dwellers
Flying Gurnards

Oriental Flying Gurnard

Oriental Flying Gurnard (Juvenile)



All Photographs
© 2025 Florent Charpin