The coastal seas of the eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean are alive with the sounds of a fish far better known for its ability to walk, fly and grunt, than swim.
This unusual benthic creature, the tub gurnard (Chelidonicthys lucerna), is well adapted to life on the sea floor. While on the hunt, it appears to take a stroll over the surface using three elongated spines. These appendages are modified from the front of the pectoral fins and are used to probe the sand for hiding prey-animals. When more in a hurry, the fish spreads its fins out into magnificent gliding “wings” with which it has earned the title of “sea robin”.
Aside from these adaptations, the tub gurnard has a flair for acoustics. It’s swimbladder - the organ that controls buoyancy - contains a set of muscles that beat against the structure’s walls when contracted, producing sounds such as knocks, growls and grunts.
From research we know that gurnard’s use their grunts to chat about whichever pressing topic is at hand ranging from “oi, that is my food, please leave >:c” to “ay bby u come here often ;)”
Photo Credit: Robert Patzner Jeff Dubosc












