Dactylopterus volitans
| Identification | A dramatic bottom fish with enormous wing-like pectoral fins spangled with iridescent blue spots and edging, which it fans out when startled or displaying. It has a blunt armored head and “walks” across the sand on finger-like pelvic rays. |
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| Maximum Length | 18″ |
| Origin | Atlantic (both coasts) & Mediterranean |
| Minimum Tank Size | 125 Gallon (large open sand bed) |
| Reef Compatibility | Reef safe with caution. Ignores corals, but eats small crustaceans and fish and needs a large open sand area rather than heavy rockscape. |
Behavior
A peaceful, slow bottom-walker that stalks the sand on its pelvic fins to flush prey, keeping its huge “wings” folded and unfurling them in a spectacular display when alarmed. Needs a big open sand bottom and calm tankmates — a show-stopping specialty fish.
Diet & Feeding
Meaty foods — mysis, chopped shrimp, clam and small pieces of marine fish; it forages the sand for crustaceans and usually adapts to prepared foods.
Cautions
Grows large and needs a big open sand footprint; it is a sand-flat species, not a true reef fish. Will eat small shrimp and fish. Best in a spacious FOWLR.