Prionotus carolinus
Northern Sea Robin [+]

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Scorpaeniformes
Family: Triglidae
Genus: Prionotus
species: carolinus
+ITIS +WoRMS

Description & Behavior

The northern sea robin, Prionotus caroliuns (Linnaeus, 1771), aka common gurnard (name used for all members of the Triglidae Family due to the grunting sound they often emit), common searobin, searobin, and wingfish, has a long, rounded body, up to 1 m in length but usually smaller, which is covered with bony plates. The name sea robin comes from the elongated pectoral fins, the first two or three rays of which are separate and act as feelers as the fish searches for crustaceans and other small prey. The rays also serve as "walkers" and can be used to manipulate objects.

World Range & Habitat

The northern sea robin occurs worldwide in tropical and temperate seas, most commonly in shallow water on sandy bottoms but have been recorded at 73 m. Western Atlantic: Nova Scotia in Canada to central Florida in USA, Gulf of Mexico.

» GBIF occurrence data in Google Earth [Tips] | Ocean Biogeographic Information System (OBIS) (World Distribution) [about]

Feeding Behavior (Ecology)

This bottom dweller has a spiny plated head to root out crustaceans, worms and mollusks. Often misidentified as a "flying fish", this "robin" uses its wings (in reality modified pectoral fins) to root out prey with its finger like rays. Feeds on shrimps, crabs, other crustaceans, squid, bivalves and small fishes. Produces loud, drumming sound by vibrating its swim bladder.