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Pacific leopard flounder (Bothus leopardinus) — Bothidae

Pacific leopard flounder

Bothus leopardinus
Family: Bothidae
LC · Least Concern

The Pacific leopard flounder (Bothus leopardinus) is a saltwater fish of the family Bothidae that grows up to 24 cm.

Length
23.5 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
55–121 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Eastern Pacific; sandy bottoms of coastal waters.
Edibility
Rarely eaten

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Description

The Pacific leopard flounder is a flatfish (Bothidae) from the eastern Pacific. As a left-eyed flatfish it lies on its right side on the bottom, with both eyes on the upward-facing left flank; its upper side is strewn with eyespots and rings for camouflage. It lives bottom-bound on soft, sandy bottoms, also gravel and shell rubble, with sandy pockets between rock and coral. As an ambush hunter it feeds on small fishes and bottom invertebrates. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Pacific leopard flounder?

The Pacific leopard flounder has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern. Left-sided flatfish with eyespots and rings as camouflage; ambush predator on sandy bottoms.

Where does the Pacific leopard flounder live?

The Pacific leopard flounder lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Eastern Pacific; sandy bottoms of coastal waters.

How big does the Pacific leopard flounder get?

The Pacific leopard flounder grows to a maximum of about 24 cm. On average the species is around 8 cm.

Is the Pacific leopard flounder dangerous to humans?

No, the Pacific leopard flounder is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Pacific leopard flounder edible?

The Pacific leopard flounder is rarely eaten.

More photos

Pacific leopard flounder (Bothus leopardinus) — Bothidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Georgina Jones, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA))

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All data

Identification

English name
Pacific leopard flounder verified
Scientific name
Bothus leopardinus
Family
Bothidae
Other names
Pacific leopard flounder verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
23.5 verified
Average length (cm)
8 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown
Pattern
Spots
Tail shape
Rounded
Mouth position
Terminal
Lips
Thin
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
55 verified
Max depth (m)
121 verified
Natural range
Eastern Pacific; sandy bottoms of coastal waters.
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small fishes and benthic invertebrates sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary
Territorial
No
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known.
Special features
Left-sided flatfish with eyespots and rings as camouflage; ambush predator on sandy bottoms. sourced

For anglers

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

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Bothus

More from the family Bothidae

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