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Fine flounder (Paralichthys adspersus) — Paralichthyidae

Fine flounder

Paralichthys adspersus
LC · Least Concern

The Fine flounder (Paralichthys adspersus) is a saltwater fish of the family Paralichthyidae that grows up to 70 cm.

Length
70 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1.0–35.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The fine flounder is a large left-eyed flatfish of the family Paralichthyidae from the southeastern Pacific, along the coast of Peru and Chile. The species reaches about 70 cm; both eyes lie on the left side of the head and the eyed side is brown with camouflage. It inhabits soft bottoms of the continental shelf, from shallow water to about 35 m deep, where it lies half-buried in ambush for small fishes and crustaceans. The large, toothed mouth betrays its predatory habits. The species, known as 'lenguado', is a highly valued and commercially important food fish.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Fine flounder?

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

Where does the Fine flounder live?

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

How big does the Fine flounder get?

The Fine flounder grows to a maximum of about 70 cm. On average the species is around 40 cm.

Is the Fine flounder dangerous to humans?

No, the Fine flounder is harmless to humans.

Is the Fine flounder edible?

Yes, the Fine flounder is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Peruaanse bot sourced
English name
Fine flounder verified
Scientific name
Paralichthys adspersus
Family
Paralichthyidae
Other names
Fine flounder verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
70.0 verified
Average length (cm)
40.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Marbled 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
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
1.0 verified
Max depth (m)
35.0 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
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bodemvissen met aas op zachte bodems; gewaardeerde voedselvis. sourced
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 Paralichthys

More from the family Paralichthyidae

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