Gurnards

[Zack K]

I was wondering if anyone has any pictures of their gurnards, or if they are even still popular? I had one back in the day probably 5yrs ago now and he had passed due to lack of knowledge. I think these guys are beautiful creatures and have plans to get one in the future. Here is a picture of one for anyone who hasn't seen one.

 

[Shaddow_wolf169]

Wow never seen that before

 

[becks]

I thought they get really big? 90cm or so?

 

[tyler1503]

We get Red Gurnards in the lakes near me. They top out at about 40cm. I've always wanted to keep one, but don't have a tank that size

 

[Zack K]

I thought they get really big? 90cm or so?

Their is a possibility. I am sticking to the fact that a fish will always grow to the size of the tank. I have seen 2 of these guys in my 7 yrs of reef keeping and never have i seen one too big for the tank. I had one for almost 2 yrs before he passed and he never outgrew the 55 he was in. I have a buddy that has one in his open concept 200 for a few years now, and he is perfectly happy and healthy and not SO BIG that he is uncomfortable.

 

[becks]

Are they hard to keep? And eat frozen?

 

[Zack K]

Are they hard to keep? And eat frozen?

They can be difficult. They need plenty of open sandy room to swim along with peaceful tank mates (including inverts). Aggressive crabs and shrimp have a known tendency to pick at the gurnards wings and eyes. They also do not always acclimate well. It is very difficult for them to adjust to a variety of parameters. The biggest problem for them eating wise is they are very picky like a mandarin or Copperband Butterfly. They like live shrimp but mine always ate chunks of frozen krill. They prefer bigger chunks of food vs tiny pieces IME.

 

[tyler1503]

They can be difficult. They need plenty of open sandy room to swim along with peaceful tank mates (including inverts). Aggressive crabs and shrimp have a known tendency to pick at the gurnards wings and eyes. They also do not always acclimate well. It is very difficult for them to adjust to a variety of parameters. The biggest problem for them eating wise is they are very picky like a mandarin or Copperband Butterfly. They like live shrimp but mine always ate chunks of frozen krill. They prefer bigger chunks of food vs tiny pieces IME.

Agreed. I'd treat them just like a fussy scorpion with open swimming space.
Big mouth = big food