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Spottedfin Tonguefish (Symphurus diomedeanus) — Cynoglossidae

Spottedfin Tonguefish

Symphurus diomedeanus
Family: Cynoglossidae
LC · Least Concern

The Spottedfin Tonguefish (Symphurus diomedeanus) is a saltwater fish of the family Cynoglossidae that grows up to 22 cm.

Length
22 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
6.0–263.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

The spottedfin tonguefish is a small flatfish of the tonguefish family (Cynoglossidae) of the western Atlantic. The species grows to about 22 cm and has an elongate, tongue-shaped body in which the dorsal, caudal and anal fins are fused into one continuous fin margin; the fin bears a few dark spots. Both eyes lie on the same side of the body. It lives on muddy bottoms of deeper coastal waters and feeds mainly on bottom animals such as crabs and polychaete worms. The species is of limited commercial value and is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Spottedfin Tonguefish?

The Spottedfin Tonguefish has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Spottedfin Tonguefish live?

The Spottedfin Tonguefish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Spottedfin Tonguefish get?

The Spottedfin Tonguefish grows to a maximum of about 22 cm. On average the species is around 18 cm.

Is the Spottedfin Tonguefish dangerous to humans?

No, the Spottedfin Tonguefish is harmless to humans.

Is the Spottedfin Tonguefish edible?

The Spottedfin Tonguefish is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Gevlektevin-tongvis sourced
English name
Spottedfin Tonguefish verified
Scientific name
Symphurus diomedeanus
Family
Cynoglossidae
Other names
Spottedfin tonguefish verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
22.0 verified
Average length (cm)
18.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Spots 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
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
6.0 verified
Max depth (m)
263.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
Fishing method
Vissen met natuurlijk aas (vis, garnaal, worm) of kunstaas dicht bij rif- en rotsstructuren. inferred
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 Symphurus

More from the family Cynoglossidae

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