Home · Cynoglossidae · Elongate tonguesole
Elongate tonguesole (Symphurus ligulatus) — Cynoglossidae

Elongate tonguesole

Symphurus ligulatus
Family: Cynoglossidae
LC · Least Concern

The Elongate tonguesole (Symphurus ligulatus) is a saltwater fish of the family Cynoglossidae that grows up to 13 cm.

Length
12.8 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
70.0–1480.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The elongate tonguesole is a small tonguefish from the eastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean Sea. The species grows to about 13 cm and has the elongate, tongue-shaped, strongly asymmetric flatfish body with both eyes on the left side and a continuous fin fringe. As a bottom-dweller it lives buried on soft bottoms of the deeper continental shelf and eats small bottom animals. The fish is harmless to humans and is assessed as Least Concern (LC) by the IUCN.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Elongate tonguesole?

The Elongate tonguesole has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Elongate tonguesole live?

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

How big does the Elongate tonguesole get?

The Elongate tonguesole grows to a maximum of about 13 cm.

Is the Elongate tonguesole dangerous to humans?

No, the Elongate tonguesole is harmless to humans.

Is the Elongate tonguesole edible?

The Elongate tonguesole is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Tongvormige tongvis verified
English name
Elongate tonguesole verified
Scientific name
Symphurus ligulatus
Family
Cynoglossidae
Other names
Elongate tonguesole verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
12.8 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Plain sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
70.0 verified
Max depth (m)
1480.0 verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Geen doelsoort voor de hengelsport; hooguit incidentele vangst of bruikbaar als aasvisje. 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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