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Spotfin flounder (Cyclopsetta fimbriata) — Paralichthyidae

Spotfin flounder

Cyclopsetta fimbriata
LC · Least Concern

The Spotfin flounder (Cyclopsetta fimbriata) is a saltwater fish of the family Paralichthyidae that grows up to 33 cm.

Length
33 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
20.0–230.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

The spotfin flounder is a flatfish of the family Paralichthyidae from the western Atlantic. The species grows to about 33 cm and has an oval, strongly flattened body with both eyes on the left side and a broad mouth with sharp teeth. It lives on soft sand and mud bottoms of the continental shelf, where it hides half-buried. As a bottom ambush predator it seizes passing small fishes and crustaceans. The spotfin flounder is marketed fresh. Owing to its modest size and abundance it is a common bycatch of the coastal fishery. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Spotfin flounder?

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

Where does the Spotfin flounder live?

The Spotfin flounder lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Spotfin flounder get?

The Spotfin flounder grows to a maximum of about 33 cm. On average the species is around 25 cm.

Is the Spotfin flounder dangerous to humans?

No, the Spotfin flounder is harmless to humans.

Is the Spotfin flounder edible?

The Spotfin flounder is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Franjebot sourced
English name
Spotfin flounder verified
Scientific name
Cyclopsetta fimbriata
Family
Paralichthyidae
Other names
Spotfin flounder verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
33.0 verified
Average length (cm)
25.0 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
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
20.0 verified
Max depth (m)
230.0 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
Vissen met natuurlijk aas (vis, garnaal, worm) of kunstaas dicht bij rif- en rotsstructuren. 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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