Prionotus evolans

Description

Prionotus evolans (striped searobin) is a fish belonging to the genus Prionotus. It was first described by Carl Linnaeus in 1766. It resembles the northern searobin, but differs in having a larger head, larger mouth, and longer pectoral fins. In the species, the pectoral fins reach near the rear third of the second dorsal fin. The tail is more square in the striped searobin, and the free pectoral rays taper toward their tips. These filaments are banded in the striped searobin. As the name implies, the striped searobin has a conspicuous narrow reddish-brown stripe along the side below the lateral line. There is only one dark bar crossing the pectoral fin and usually it is so diffuse as to be a mere darkening of the center of the fin rather than a definite pattern. It occurs from Florida to the Gulf of Maine, but it is rare north of Cape Cod.