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Flounder (Cyclopsetta chittendeni) — Paralichthyidae

Flounder

Cyclopsetta chittendeni
LC · Least Concern

The Flounder (Cyclopsetta chittendeni) is a saltwater fish of the family Paralichthyidae that grows up to 32 cm.

Length
32 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
20.0–150.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

The Mexican flounder is a left-eyed flatfish (family Paralichthyidae) of the western Atlantic. The species reaches about 32 cm and has an oval, strongly compressed, brown body with both eyes on the left side, a mottled pattern and a fairly large mouth. It occurs in bays, lagoons and shallow coastal waters on soft bottoms. As an ambush predator it lies camouflaged on the bottom and lunges at small fishes and crustaceans. The species is of modest commercial value and is sold fresh. It is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Flounder?

The Flounder has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a marbled pattern.

Where does the Flounder live?

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

How big does the Flounder get?

The Flounder grows to a maximum of about 32 cm. On average the species is around 25 cm.

Is the Flounder dangerous to humans?

No, the Flounder is harmless to humans.

Is the Flounder edible?

The Flounder is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Mexicaanse bot sourced
English name
Flounder verified
Scientific name
Cyclopsetta chittendeni
Family
Paralichthyidae
Other names
Mexican flounder verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
32.0 verified
Average length (cm)
25.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Marbled 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
Min depth (m)
20.0 verified
Max depth (m)
150.0 verified
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 Cyclopsetta

More from the family Paralichthyidae

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