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Bighead searobin (Prionotus tribulus) — Triglidae

Bighead searobin

Prionotus tribulus
Family: Triglidae

The Bighead searobin (Prionotus tribulus) is a saltwater fish of the family Triglidae that grows up to 35 cm.

Length
35 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
9.0–183.0 m
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The bighead searobin is a searobin (Triglidae) from coastal and estuarine water of the western Atlantic, off North America. The species grows to about 35 cm and has a large, bony, armoured head, a brownish body and large, fan-shaped pectoral fins whose lower rays are modified into finger-like feelers. With these it walks over sand and mud bottoms and touches and tastes small crustaceans, worms and small fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Bighead searobin?

The Bighead searobin has an elongate, eel-like body.

Where does the Bighead searobin live?

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

How big does the Bighead searobin get?

The Bighead searobin grows to a maximum of about 35 cm.

Is the Bighead searobin dangerous to humans?

No, the Bighead searobin is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Grootkop-zeehaan sourced
English name
Bighead searobin sourced
Scientific name
Prionotus tribulus
Family
Triglidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
35.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
9.0 verified
Max depth (m)
183.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

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 verified

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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