Home · Triglidae · Leopard searobin
Leopard searobin (Prionotus scitulus) — Triglidae

Leopard searobin

Prionotus scitulus
Family: Triglidae
LC · Least Concern

The Leopard searobin (Prionotus scitulus) is a saltwater fish of the family Triglidae that grows up to 25 cm.

Length
25 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1.0–45.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

The leopard searobin (Prionotus scitulus) is a searobin of the family Triglidae from the western Atlantic. The species has an elongate, brownish body studded with dark spots forming a leopard pattern, 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 25 cm and inhabits shallow bays. Unlike weeverfishes the species has no venom glands and is harmless. The diet consists of small crustaceans and invertebrates. Searobins can make grunting sounds with the swim bladder.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Leopard searobin?

The Leopard searobin has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Leopard searobin live?

The Leopard searobin lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Leopard searobin get?

The Leopard searobin grows to a maximum of about 25 cm.

Is the Leopard searobin dangerous to humans?

No, the Leopard searobin is harmless to humans.

Is the Leopard searobin edible?

The Leopard searobin is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Luipaard-zeehaan sourced
English name
Leopard searobin verified
Scientific name
Prionotus scitulus
Family
Triglidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
25.0 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
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
1.0 verified
Max depth (m)
45.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely 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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