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Manyscale flounder (Parabothus polylepis) — Bothidae

Manyscale flounder

Parabothus polylepis
Family: Bothidae

The Manyscale flounder (Parabothus polylepis) is a saltwater fish of the family Bothidae that grows up to 15 cm.

Length
15 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
59.0–64.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Flatfish
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Manyscale flounder is a left-eyed flatfish (Bothidae) from sand and mud bottoms around Australia and the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 18 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 Manyscale flounder?

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

Where does the Manyscale flounder live?

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

How big does the Manyscale flounder get?

The Manyscale flounder grows to a maximum of about 15 cm.

Is the Manyscale flounder dangerous to humans?

No, the Manyscale flounder is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Veelschub-dwergbot sourced
English name
Manyscale flounder sourced
Scientific name
Parabothus polylepis
Family
Bothidae
Other names
Manyscaled flounder sourced

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
15.0 verified
Body shape
Flatfish sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

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

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

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

More from the family Bothidae

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