Back to Research Organisms Sea Robin Home Groundbreaking Research at the MBL Research Organisms Sea Robin Juvenile Sea Robin (Prionotus carolinus). Credit: Flickr user Kevin Faccenda via CC license The northern sea robin (Prionotus carolinus) is named for its expanded pectoral fins that resemble bird wings. The first three fin rays separate from these wings during early sea robin development and can be used as “legs” to walk along the ocean floor. These “legs” have sensory capabilities that allow the fish to find food. Sea robins have a distinctive “drumming muscle” that makes sounds by beating against its swim bladder. They often produce an audible croak like a frog when held out of water—this is where their other common name (the gurnard) comes from. Scientific Name: Prionotus carolinus Type: Bony Fish Habitat: Sandy ocean floorsRange: The Western Atlantic Ocean from Nova Scotia to central Florida and the Gulf of MexicoSize: about 17 inches longDiet: Mollusks, crustaceans, and other bottom-dwelling preyStatus: Species of Least Concern Remote video URL Credit: Marine Biological Laboratory / BioQuest Studios / Nguyen Khoi Nguyen Sea Robins and the MBL Resident and visiting researchers at the MBL study sea robin “legs” to better understand how new limbs form during development and how novel forms of locomotion evolve in vertebrates. Learn more about the New Research Organism Initiative at the MBL