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Twobeak searobin (Prionotus birostratus) — Triglidae

Twobeak searobin

Prionotus birostratus
Family: Triglidae
LC · Least Concern

The Twobeak searobin (Prionotus birostratus) is a saltwater fish of the family Triglidae that grows up to 18 cm.

Length
18 cm
Water
Saltwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Eastern Pacific; soft sand and mud bottoms of coastal waters.
Edibility
Rarely eaten

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Description

The Twobeak searobin is a searobin (Triglidae) from sand and mud bottoms of the eastern Pacific around Central America. The species grows to about 25 cm and has an elongate body with a bony-armoured head and large, fan-shaped pectoral fins; the lower pectoral rays are free and serve as 'fingers' to walk over the bottom and taste prey. It searches for crustaceans, worms and small fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Twobeak searobin?

The Twobeak searobin has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern. Cleft, two-lobed snout; walks over the bottom on finger-like fin rays.

Where does the Twobeak searobin live?

The Twobeak searobin lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Eastern Pacific; soft sand and mud bottoms of coastal waters.

How big does the Twobeak searobin get?

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

Is the Twobeak searobin dangerous to humans?

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

Is the Twobeak searobin edible?

The Twobeak searobin is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
Twobeak searobin sourced
Scientific name
Prionotus birostratus
Family
Triglidae
Other names
Two-beaked searobin verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
18.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
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
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Natural range
Eastern Pacific; soft sand and mud bottoms of coastal waters. 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
Cleft, two-lobed snout; walks over the bottom on finger-like fin rays. 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 verified
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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