Armored searobin in National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa

Febuary 2019

Did you know that some fish can "walk" along the seafloor? Meet the armored searobin!

Transcript

Meet the armored searobin.

Researchers encountered this undersea warrior in the depths of National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa.

This odd-looking fish gets its name from four rows of bony plates along its body.

The searobin "walks" along the seafloor using its stiff, thickened fin rays.

Branched barbels on the bottom of its head have taste buds, which help it sense food on the seafloor.