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Armored searobin (Peristedion ecuadorense) — Peristediidae

Armored searobin

Peristedion ecuadorense
Family: Peristediidae
LC · Least Concern

The Armored searobin (Peristedion ecuadorense) is a saltwater fish of the family Peristediidae that grows up to 21 cm.

Length
21 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0–472.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Western Atlantic
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The armored searobin is a deep-sea fish from the western Atlantic, ranging from South Carolina to Suriname. The species grows to about 21 cm and has a body entirely armoured with bony plates, with spines on the snout and barbels beneath the chin. The lower pectoral-fin rays are free and serve as feelers to probe the bottom for prey. As a bottom-dweller the fish lives at great depth, down to over 470 metres. The fish is harmless to humans and is assessed as Least Concern (LC) by the IUCN.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Armored searobin?

The Armored searobin has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly red-orange and shows a plain pattern. Body armoured with bony plates; snout spines and free pectoral fin rays as feelers

Where does the Armored searobin live?

The Armored searobin lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Western Atlantic

How big does the Armored searobin get?

The Armored searobin grows to a maximum of about 21 cm.

Is the Armored searobin dangerous to humans?

No, the Armored searobin is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

Is the Armored searobin edible?

The Armored searobin is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
Armored searobin verified
Scientific name
Peristedion ecuadorense
Family
Peristediidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
21.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange inferred
Pattern
Plain sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
Yes sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate sourced
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Max depth (m)
472.0 verified
Natural range
Western Atlantic verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small bottom-dwelling invertebrates inferred
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Nocturnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced
Seasonality
Deep-sea bottom-dweller; present year-round. sourced
Special features
Body armoured with bony plates; snout spines and free pectoral fin rays as feelers sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Peristedion

More from the family Peristediidae

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