Florent's Guide To The

French Polynesian Reefs

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) Chordates
└Vertebrata (Subphylum) Vertebrates
 └Osteichthyes (Parvphylum) Bony Fishes
  └Actinopterygii (Gigaclass) Ray-Finned Fish
   └Teleostei (Class) Teleosts
    └Dactylopteriformes (Order)
     └Dactylopteridae (Family) Flying Gurnards
      └Dactyloptena (Genus)
       └D. orientalis (Species)
WoRMS ID: 218158🔗
iNaturalist ID: 51376🔗

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© 2026 Florent Charpin