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Arrowtooth flounder (Atheresthes stomias) — Pleuronectidae

Arrowtooth flounder

Atheresthes stomias
NE · Not Evaluated

The Arrowtooth flounder (Atheresthes stomias) is a saltwater fish of the family Pleuronectidae that grows up to 84 cm.

Length
84 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
18.0–950.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The arrowtooth flounder is a large flatfish from the cold waters of the northern Pacific. The species grows to about 84 cm and has an oblong, strongly flattened, brownish-grey body with a large mouth full of long, arrow-shaped teeth and both eyes on the right side. As a predator it lives over sand and mud bottoms of the continental shelf and slope, between about 18 and 950 metres, and hunts fish, squid and shrimp. It is a commercial food fish. The IUCN has not evaluated the species.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Arrowtooth flounder?

The Arrowtooth flounder has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Arrowtooth flounder live?

The Arrowtooth flounder lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Arrowtooth flounder get?

The Arrowtooth flounder grows to a maximum of about 84 cm. On average the species is around 50 cm.

Is the Arrowtooth flounder dangerous to humans?

No, the Arrowtooth flounder is harmless to humans.

Is the Arrowtooth flounder edible?

Yes, the Arrowtooth flounder is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Pijltand-heilbot verified
English name
Arrowtooth flounder verified
Scientific name
Atheresthes stomias
Family
Pleuronectidae
Other names
Arrowtooth flounder; Arrow-tooth flounder; Long-jaw flounder verified

Appearance

Size class
Extra large verified
Max length (cm)
84.0 verified
Average length (cm)
50.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Plain sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
18.0 verified
Max depth (m)
950.0 verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Nocturnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced
levensduur_max_jaar
23.0 verified

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Netvisserij sourced
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Atheresthes

More from the family Pleuronectidae

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