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Striped searobin (Prionotus evolans) — Triglidae

Striped searobin

Prionotus evolans
Family: Triglidae
LC · Least Concern

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

Length
45 cm
Water
Brackish
Depth
9.0–180.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Sandy bottoms of coastal waters of the western Atlantic.
Edibility
Rarely eaten

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Description

The striped searobin (Prionotus evolans) is a searobin of the family Triglidae from the western Atlantic. The species has an elongate, brownish body with dark lengthwise stripes and large, wing-like pectoral fins; the lower pectoral rays are separate, finger-like appendages with which the fish 'walks' over the bottom and probes for prey. It reaches about 45 cm and lives mainly on sandy bottoms, from coastal estuaries to about 180 metres deep, occasionally over reefs. The diet consists mainly of crustaceans and fishes. Unlike weeverfishes the species has no venom glands and is harmless; it is used as food, fish meal and bait.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Striped searobin?

The Striped searobin has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a horizontal stripes pattern. Dark longitudinal stripes and finger-like pectoral fin rays for 'walking' over the bottom; no venom glands.

Where does the Striped searobin live?

The Striped searobin lives in brackish water and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Sandy bottoms of coastal waters of the western Atlantic.

How big does the Striped searobin get?

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

Is the Striped searobin dangerous to humans?

No, the Striped 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 Striped searobin edible?

The Striped searobin is rarely eaten.

More photos

Striped searobin (Prionotus evolans) — Triglidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Eric the Squig, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Striped searobin (Prionotus evolans) — Triglidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) stevewalternature, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Striped searobin (Prionotus evolans) — Triglidae — 4
Tyler Harris (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
Striped searobin (Prionotus evolans) — Triglidae — 5
Wikimedia Commons — Hugh McCormick Smith (Public domain)
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Striped searobin verified
Scientific name
Prionotus evolans
Family
Triglidae
Other names
Striped 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
Horizontal stripes 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
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
9.0 verified
Max depth (m)
180.0 verified
Natural range
Sandy bottoms of coastal waters of the western Atlantic. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Crustaceans and fishes sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
levensduur_max_jaar
7.0 verified
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Dark longitudinal stripes and finger-like pectoral fin rays for 'walking' over the bottom; no venom glands. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
Fishing method
Fishing with natural bait (fish, shrimp, worm) or lures close to reef and rock structures. 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 Prionotus

More from the family Triglidae

Fin

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