Sea robins get a raw deal.
They’re described as ugly bait stealers, likened to the mythical
creature from the black lagoon, and uncharitably labeled as trash fish. Even
the most supportive of sources term them “unusual”.
As a Colorado native, where we’re up to our gills in trout, I
could only have dreamt of a fish as unique as the northern sea robin. With my
land-locked perspective, I’d like to make a case for this gorgeous and spunky
fish (that’s right, I said gorgeous):
They come
from a talented family
Northern sea robins belong to the greater sea robin family,
called Triglidae. They get their common name from their wing-like pectoral
fins, as well as the orange belly of an Atlantic-dwelling relative. Those
“wings” aren’t just visually striking, some species use them to glide through
the air like flying fish.
If that’s not a neat enough trick, take a step onto a different
branch of their family tree to find the brightly striped—and venomous—lionfish.
Both lionfish and sea robins are part of the same spiky-finned order,
Scorpaeniformes.
They speak
up when upset
If you’ve ever caught a sea robin, you may have heard its
signature ‘croak’. When removed
from the water, sea robins let their displeasure be known by internally
drumming on their swim bladder, the air-filled organ that keeps fish afloat.
They’re
super at sensing
The first three rays of each winged pectoral fin are separated
from the rest of the fin and look like little walking legs as they search for food along the
bay’s bottom. These specialized rays are used to detect subtle chemicals found
in their invertebrate prey.
They’re not
fussy eaters
Northern sea robins are just as happy with worm bits as they are
with a gourmet lobster dinner. They’ll make a meal of any invertebrate or small
fish they run into on the bay floor. Their easy going eating habits also means
anglers who are after more popular fish frequently hook northern sea robins on
accident.
They’re
tasty with butter
While anglers frequently throw back
northern sea robins, their relatives are frequently found on European dinner
tables, including in bowls of authentic French bouillabaisse. Still, sea robins
are making their way into Northeast fish markets as a more affordable
alternative to popularly served fish, such as fluke.
You don’t
have to travel far to see them
Abundant in coastal waters from Maine all the way down to South
Carolina, northern sea robins can be found right off Rhode Island’s shores. You
can get up close and personal with these remarkable fish at Save The Bay’s
Exploration Center on Easton’s Beach at 175 Memorial Blvd.
While the number and kinds of sea robin are always rotating, the
aquarium now hosts seven of these fish—all visiting from the Narragansett Bay.
In addition to the northern sea robin, you can also gaze upon their cousins, the
striped sea robin. Growing up to a foot long, these fish can be found in the
aquarium’s rocky shores tank and the big fish of the bay tank. A juvenile sea
robin can also be spotted in the specimen tanks at the back of the center.
Spend some time with these lovely critters and you may see this
trash fish from a new perspective.
There’s always more room
with me on “team sea robin.”
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