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Flathead flounder (Hippoglossoides dubius) — Pleuronectidae

Flathead flounder

Hippoglossoides dubius

The Flathead flounder (Hippoglossoides dubius) is a saltwater fish of the family Pleuronectidae that grows up to 45 cm.

Length
45 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
10.0–600.0 m
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The flathead flounder is a flatfish (Pleuronectidae) from coastal waters of the northwest Pacific, off East Asia. The species grows to about 45 cm and has a flattened, elongate-oval body with both eyes on the right side, a fairly large mouth and a flattened head; the upper side is plain brown, the underside white. As a bottom-dweller it lies buried on sand and mud bottoms and snaps at worms, small fish and crustaceans. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Flathead flounder?

The Flathead flounder has a flattened, disc-shaped body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Flathead flounder live?

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

How big does the Flathead flounder get?

The Flathead flounder grows to a maximum of about 45 cm.

Is the Flathead flounder dangerous to humans?

No, the Flathead flounder is harmless to humans.

Is the Flathead flounder edible?

Yes, the Flathead flounder is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Japanse heilbot-schol sourced
English name
Flathead flounder sourced
Scientific name
Hippoglossoides dubius
Family
Pleuronectidae
Other names
Flathead flounder verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
45.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
10.0 verified
Max depth (m)
600.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
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 verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Hippoglossoides

More from the family Pleuronectidae

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