Common Name
Highfin Armored Searobin
Year Described
Regan, 1903
Identification
Dorsal Fin: VIII, 16
Anal Fin: 17
Pectoral Fin: 12 + 2 free rays
Gill Rakers:
Body elongate and flattened ventrally, with four rows of thick, heavy scales forming an armor-like covering. Head wide, tapering gradually rearward. Head with flattened duck-bill snout about the width of eyes and squared-off at tip. Rostral projections moderate (around half snout length), robust, and slightly divergent. Head heavily armored. Edges of snout and head with small spines and undulations. Edge of head not expanded greatly on the cheek, with large backwards pointing cheek and opercular spines. Eye large. Interorbital distance relatively wide. Anterior edge of first body plate even with or anterior to pelvic girdle. Lip barbels numerous but small. Chin barbels 18-23 (21-22 average) fairly short. Dorsal fins separated: the first small and second long-based. Anal fin about the same length as dorsal fin. Pectoral fins small and fan-like with two long free rays that are used to interact/crawl along the seafloor. Pelvic fins small and widely separated under pectoral base. Caudal fin truncate.
Color
Dorsum yellowish, orange, or reddish-pink with darker red blotches and reticulations following edges of armor/scales. Belly white. Dorsal and caudal fins yellowish grading to red on the margins. Pectoral fin red. Anal and pelvic fins white. Eye yellowish with golden ring around pupil.
Size
Maximum size to 23cm SL.
Habitat
Found on soft bottoms from 100-200m.
Range
Known from S. Brazil.
References
Miller, G.C. & W.J. Richards. 2003. Peristediidae. Armoured searobins (armoured gurnards). p. 1278-1285. In: K.E. Carpenter (ed.) FAO species identification guide for fishery purposes. The living marine resources of the Western Central Atlantic. Vol. 2: Bony fishes part 1 (Acipenseridae to Grammatidae).
Other Notes
Closest to Peristedion thompsoni, which has fewer chin barbels and does not occur in southern Brazil.