Scientific Name
Prionotus carolinus

Common Name
Northern searobin

Biology
Occurs on sandy bottom. Feeds on shrimps, crabs, other crustaceans, squid, bivalves and small fishes. Produces loud, drumming sound by vibrating its swim bladder (Ref. 9988). Used both for food and fish meal; other uses include bait for lobster traps and flatfish, handlines, pet food and fertilizer. Utilized fresh and frozen; also used for caviar ; can be broiled and baked (Ref. 9988).

Classification

Classified By

Linnaeus, 1771

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Scorpionfishes and Flatheads (Scorpaeniformes)

Family

Searobins (Triglidae)

Distribution

Region

Western Atlantic

Distribution

Western Atlantic: Nova Scotia in Canada to central Florida in USA. Gulf of Mexico (Ref. 26938).

Range

46°N - 28°N

Environment

Climate

Temperate

Water Temperature From

Unknown °C

Water Temperature To

Unknown °C

Depth From - meters

15 m

Depth To - meters

170 m

Zone

demersal

Environment

Marine; brackish; demersal; depth range 15 - 170 m

Trophic Level

4.12 s.e. 0.69 Based on diet studies.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

True

Occurs in Brackish water

True

Occurs in Fresh Water

False

Occurs on Reefs

False

Is kept in Aquariums

False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

38.0 cm

Common Length

30.0 cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.5000 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: minor commercial; bait: occasionally

Vulnerability

Low to moderate vulnerability (35 of 100)

Resilience

Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (K=0.3)

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Not Evaluated