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Mexican searobin (Prionotus paralatus) — Triglidae

Mexican searobin

Prionotus paralatus
Family: Triglidae
LC · Least Concern

The Mexican searobin (Prionotus paralatus) is a brackish-water fish of the family Triglidae that grows up to 18 cm.

Length
17.5 cm
Water
Brackish
Depth
36.0–180.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Gulf of Mexico and western Atlantic; soft bottoms further offshore.
Edibility
Rarely eaten

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Description

The Mexican searobin is a searobin (Triglidae) from the Gulf of Mexico and adjacent parts of the western Atlantic Ocean. The species has a flattened, bony-armoured head and large, fan-shaped pectoral fins; the lower pectoral fin rays are free, finger-like feelers with which it 'walks' over the bottom and probes for prey. It lives on soft bottoms further offshore, at depths of about 36 to 180 m. As a bottom predator it feeds on small crustaceans and bottom animals. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Mexican searobin?

The Mexican searobin has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern. Fan-shaped pectoral fins with finger-like feelers; bottom fish of the deeper shelf.

Where does the Mexican searobin live?

The Mexican searobin lives in brackish water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Gulf of Mexico and western Atlantic; soft bottoms further offshore.

How big does the Mexican searobin get?

The Mexican searobin grows to a maximum of about 18 cm.

Is the Mexican searobin dangerous to humans?

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

Is the Mexican searobin edible?

The Mexican searobin is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
Mexican searobin verified
Scientific name
Prionotus paralatus
Family
Triglidae
Other names
Mexican searobin verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
17.5 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) 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
Min depth (m)
36.0 verified
Max depth (m)
180.0 verified
Natural range
Gulf of Mexico and western Atlantic; soft bottoms further offshore. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small crustaceans and benthic invertebrates 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 pectoral fins with finger-like feelers; bottom fish of the deeper shelf. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely 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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