Home · Triglidae · Spiny searobin
Spiny searobin (Prionotus alatus) — Triglidae

Spiny searobin

Prionotus alatus
Family: Triglidae
LC · Least Concern

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

Length
17.5 cm
Water
Brackish
Depth
35.0–180.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The spiny searobin is a bottom-dwelling marine fish of the searobin family (Triglidae) of the western Atlantic. The species grows to about 17 cm and has an elongate body with a large bony head shield and broad, fan-like pectoral fins. The lower fin rays are separated into finger-like feelers with which the fish 'walks' over the bottom and probes for prey. It lives on soft bottoms of the continental shelf and feeds on crustaceans and small bottom animals. The species is of little commercial value and is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Spiny searobin?

The Spiny searobin has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly red-orange and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Spiny searobin live?

The Spiny searobin lives in brackish water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Spiny searobin get?

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

Is the Spiny searobin dangerous to humans?

No, the Spiny searobin is harmless to humans.

Is the Spiny searobin edible?

The Spiny searobin is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Stekelpoon sourced
English name
Spiny searobin verified
Scientific name
Prionotus alatus
Family
Triglidae
Other names
Spiny searobin verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
17.5 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange inferred
Pattern
Spots inferred
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Terminal 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)
35.0 verified
Max depth (m)
180.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless 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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