Rough Searobin
Vaca Rasposa
(Prionotus ruscarius)

Rough Searobin, Prionotus ruscarius: The Rough Searobin has an olive brown body shading to white on the ventral side. It has two faint dark bars on the sides, the first of which is under the first dorsal fin and the second is under the rear of the second dorsal fin.

The head of the Rough Searobin, which is as wide as it is deep, has a broad rounded snout and a wide concave gap between the eyes.

The pectoral fins are short, clear with dark edges, and have 13 rays of which 3 are free; the rear margin is angular at the top with the third and fourth rays being the longest. The anal fin is clear with 10 or 11 rays. The caudal fin has one or two vertical rows of dusky spots and the rear third has white rays with black membranes.

The Rough Searobin is reported to reach a maximum length of 13 inches. However the collection below extends this maximum length to 16 inches. The Rough Searobin is quite similar to and can be easily confused with the Bristly Searobin, Prionotus horrens (deep head with large eyes; anal fin with 9 rays)

Distribution in Mexico fishing areas

In Mexican fishing waters the Rough Searobin is found over sand and mud bottoms in the first 300 feet of the water column. It ranges from Magdalena Bay and Cabo San Lucas on the Pacific side of Baja California and on the west coast of the Mexican mainland south to Guatemala. It appears to be absent from along the east coast of Baja California.

The Rough Searobin is a member of the Triglidas Family which are the Gurnards and known in Mexico as Vacas and Rubios. Globally there are 109 members of the family with 22 global species of the Prionotus Genus of which five are found in Mexican waters. The Searobins, relatives of the Scorpionfish, are characterized by a square broad head that is armed with spines. They have two separate dorsal fins and two or three enlarged free rays on the lower pectoral fins. These rays appear to be wings that allow the Searobins to glide through the water and “walk” the bottom in quest of food. They feed on mollusks and small crustaceans. Searobins are able to produce sound.

Rough Searobin fish picture 1

Rough Searobin fish picture 2

Rough Searobin fish picture 3

Rough Searobin, Prionotus ruscarius: Commercially caught fish courtesy of the pangueros of Todos Santos, Mexico, during fishing in July 2008. Size 16 inches. The scientific literature reports the known maximum length of this species to be 13 inches. Description and photos courtesy of John Snow.

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