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Largescale flounder (Engyprosopon xystrias) — Bothidae

Largescale flounder

Engyprosopon xystrias
Family: Bothidae

The Largescale flounder (Engyprosopon xystrias) is a brackish-water fish of the family Bothidae that grows up to 16 cm.

Length
16 cm
Water
Brackish
Depth
30–240 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Flatfish
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Indonesia, Japan, New Caledonia

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Description

The Largescale flounder is a left-eyed flatfish (Bothidae) from sand and mud bottoms of the northwestern Pacific. The species grows to about 12 cm and has a strongly flattened, oval body with both eyes on the left side; the upper side is sand-coloured and mottled for camouflage, the underside pale. As an ambush predator it lies half-buried on the bottom and seizes passing small fish, shrimp and worms. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Largescale flounder?

The Largescale flounder has a flatfish-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Largescale flounder live?

The Largescale flounder lives in brackish water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Asia: Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Indonesia, Japan, New Caledonia

How big does the Largescale flounder get?

The Largescale flounder grows to a maximum of about 16 cm.

Is the Largescale flounder dangerous to humans?

No, the Largescale flounder is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

More photos

Largescale flounder (Engyprosopon xystrias) — Bothidae — 2
Williams, Jeffrey T. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Largescale flounder (Engyprosopon xystrias) — Bothidae — 3
Murphy, Katherine, Reft, Abigail, Weigt, Lee (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM

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All data

Identification

English name
Largescale flounder sourced
Scientific name
Engyprosopon xystrias
Family
Bothidae
Other names
Tail-spots flounder sourced

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
16 verified
Body shape
Flatfish sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Rounded

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
30 verified
Max depth (m)
240 verified
Natural range
Asia: Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Indonesia, Japan, New Caledonia sourced
Origin
Native

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore
Diet (detail)
Small fishes, crustaceans and invertebrates
Social behaviour
Solitary
Territorial
No
Reproduction
Separate sexes
Sexual dimorphism
No
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known.

For anglers

Fishing method
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed.
Regulations source

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Engyprosopon

More from the family Bothidae

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