Striped searobin (Prionotus evolans)

Scientific name: Prionotus evolans Linnaeus, 1766

The Striped searobin (Prionotus evolans) is a brackish-water fish of the family Triglidae. Native range: Western Atlantic, Nova Scotia in Canada to northern Florida in the USA; rare north of Cape Cod in Massachusetts, USA.

Biology

Occurs mainly on sand bottom from inshore estuaries to about 180 m depth. Found occasionally over reefs. Feeds mainly on crustaceans and fishes. Used both for food and fish meal; other uses include for bait, pet food and fertilizer.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Prionotus evolans
Family: Triglidae (Searobins)
Order: Scorpaeniformes (Scorpionfishes and Flatheads)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 45.0
Common length: 30.0
Depth range: 180 m (591 ft)
Environment: Marine; brackish; reef-associated; depth range ? - 180 m
Climate: Temperate
Distribution: Western Atlantic: Nova Scotia in Canada to northern Florida in the USA; rare north of Cape Cod in Massachusetts, USA.
Conservation status (IUCN): Not Evaluated
Threat to humans: Harmless
Uses: Fisheries: minor commercial; gamefish: yes; bait: occasionally
Resilience: Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (K=0.29)

Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Last updated 27 September 2026