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Maculated flounder (Bothus maculiferus) — Bothidae

Maculated flounder

Bothus maculiferus
Family: Bothidae
LC · Least Concern

The Maculated flounder (Bothus maculiferus) is a saltwater fish of the family Bothidae that grows up to 25 cm.

Length
25 cm
Water
Saltwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

The mottled flounder is a lefteye flounder (Bothidae) from the western Atlantic Ocean. The species has a flattened, oval body with both eyes on the left side, set wide apart, and a marbled, mottled upper surface that camouflages it on the bottom. It inhabits soft sand and mud bottoms of coastal waters. As a bottom predator it lies partly buried and ambushes small benthic invertebrates and small fishes. It is sometimes landed as bycatch in shrimp fisheries. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Maculated flounder?

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

Where does the Maculated flounder live?

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

How big does the Maculated flounder get?

The Maculated flounder grows to a maximum of about 25 cm. On average the species is around 18 cm.

Is the Maculated flounder dangerous to humans?

No, the Maculated flounder is harmless to humans.

Is the Maculated flounder edible?

The Maculated flounder is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Gevlekte botbot sourced
English name
Maculated flounder verified
Scientific name
Bothus maculiferus
Family
Bothidae
Other names
Maculated Flounder; Maculated flounder; Mottled flounder verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. inferred
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 Bothus

More from the family Bothidae

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