The Red Gurnard is found throughout New Zealand they mostly inhabit shallow coastal waters over sandy surfaces, but have been reported from shelf waters down to a depth of 180 metres.

Red Gurnards grow to 2' or 60 cm in length and weigh about 1.5 kg

Gurnards have a relatively large bony plated head and narrow body with numerous spines. They are commonly reddish/brown or orange/red colour, though may be mottled red/ black and white below. The fin colouration is normally the same as the body colours, however their two front pectoral fins spred out quite wide with a very large dark spot on them, smaller white spots and lots of smaller blue spots.

Gurnards have rough scales and hard sharp bony plates around the gill covers and large head spines that project outwards. They have large eyes and very sharp poisonous spines.

Their diet consists of worms, shrimps, small crabs and other small crustations.