Home · Paralichthyidae · Gulf sanddab
Gulf sanddab (Citharichthys fragilis) — Paralichthyidae

Gulf sanddab

Citharichthys fragilis
LC · Least Concern

The Gulf sanddab (Citharichthys fragilis) is a saltwater fish of the family Paralichthyidae that grows up to 22 cm.

Length
22 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
18.0–347.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

The Gulf sanddab is a left-eyed flatfish from the eastern Pacific, from southern California to the Gulf of California. The species grows to about 22 cm and has the typical, strongly asymmetric flatfish body with both eyes on one side and a brown, bottom-matching upper side. As a bottom-dweller it lies buried on sandy bottoms between about 18 and 347 metres depth and ambushes small bottom animals. The fish is harmless to humans and is assessed as Least Concern (LC) by the IUCN.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Gulf sanddab?

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

Where does the Gulf sanddab live?

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

How big does the Gulf sanddab get?

The Gulf sanddab grows to a maximum of about 22 cm.

Is the Gulf sanddab dangerous to humans?

No, the Gulf sanddab is harmless to humans.

Is the Gulf sanddab edible?

The Gulf sanddab is rarely eaten.

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →

All data

Identification

Dutch name
Golf-zandschar verified
English name
Gulf sanddab verified
Scientific name
Citharichthys fragilis
Family
Paralichthyidae
Other names
Gulf sanddab verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
22.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
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)
347.0 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

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 Citharichthys

More from the family Paralichthyidae

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →