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Atlantic searobin (Prionotus punctatus) — Triglidae

Atlantic searobin

Prionotus punctatus
Family: Triglidae
LC · Least Concern

The Atlantic searobin (Prionotus punctatus) is a brackish-water fish of the family Triglidae that grows up to 45 cm.

Length
45 cm
Water
Brackish
Depth
0–190.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Western Atlantic; sandy and muddy bottoms of the continental shelf.
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The bluewing searobin is a searobin (Triglidae) from the western Atlantic Ocean. The species grows to about 35 cm and has a flattened, bony head and large, fan-shaped pectoral fins that glow bluish when spread. The lower pectoral fin rays are free, finger-like feelers with which it 'walks' over the bottom and probes for prey. It lives on sand and mud bottoms of the continental shelf and sometimes occurs over reefs. It feeds on shrimps, crabs, other crustaceans and fishes. Locally it is traded as an aquarium fish. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Atlantic searobin?

The Atlantic searobin has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern. Fan-shaped bluish pectoral fins; walks over the bottom on finger-like fin rays.

Where does the Atlantic searobin live?

The Atlantic searobin lives in brackish water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Western Atlantic; sandy and muddy bottoms of the continental shelf.

How big does the Atlantic searobin get?

The Atlantic searobin grows to a maximum of about 45 cm. On average the species is around 30 cm.

Is the Atlantic searobin dangerous to humans?

No, the Atlantic searobin is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Atlantic searobin edible?

Yes, the Atlantic searobin is commonly eaten.

More photos

Atlantic searobin (Prionotus punctatus) — Triglidae — 2
iNaturalist (no rights reserved)
Atlantic searobin (Prionotus punctatus) — Triglidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Gabriel Martínez, some rights reserved (CC BY))
Atlantic searobin (Prionotus punctatus) — Triglidae — 4
Wikimedia Commons — (c) jeyre, some rights reserved (CC BY) (CC BY 4.0)
Atlantic searobin (Prionotus punctatus) — Triglidae — 5
Wikimedia Commons — Berger, Daniel; Berger, F. G.; Bloch, Marcus Elieser; Bodenehr, G.; Bodenehr, George; Buchhandlung der Realschule; Darchow, C.; Gursch, C. F.; Hesse; Krüger; Rosenberg, F. C. W.; Schmidt, A. F.; Schmidt, F. G.; Schmidt, Friedrich Wilhelm; Schmidt, Johann Gottlieb; Schmidt, Ludwig (Public domain)
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All data

Identification

English name
Atlantic searobin verified
Scientific name
Prionotus punctatus
Family
Triglidae
Other names
Bluewing Searobin; Bluewing searobin; Spotted searobin verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
45.0 verified
Average length (cm)
30.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Spots inferred
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Max depth (m)
190.0 verified
Natural range
Western Atlantic; sandy and muddy bottoms of the continental shelf. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Shrimps, crabs, other crustaceans and fishes sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Fan-shaped bluish pectoral fins; walks over the bottom on finger-like fin rays. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly 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
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Prionotus

More from the family Triglidae

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