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Margined tonguefish (Symphurus marginatus) — Cynoglossidae

Margined tonguefish

Symphurus marginatus
Family: Cynoglossidae
LC · Least Concern

The Margined tonguefish (Symphurus marginatus) is a saltwater fish of the family Cynoglossidae that grows up to 15 cm.

Length
14.6 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
37.0–750.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The margined tonguefish is a small tonguefish from the Atlantic, on the deeper continental shelf and slope. The species grows to about 15 cm and has the elongate, tongue-shaped, strongly asymmetric flatfish body with both eyes on one side, a continuous fin fringe and a dark fin margin. As a bottom-dweller it lives buried on soft deep-water bottoms 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 Margined tonguefish?

The Margined tonguefish has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Margined tonguefish live?

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

How big does the Margined tonguefish get?

The Margined tonguefish grows to a maximum of about 15 cm.

Is the Margined tonguefish dangerous to humans?

No, the Margined tonguefish is harmless to humans.

Is the Margined tonguefish edible?

The Margined tonguefish is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Gerande tongvis verified
English name
Margined tonguefish verified
Scientific name
Symphurus marginatus
Family
Cynoglossidae
Other names
Margined tonguefish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
14.6 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped 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)
37.0 verified
Max depth (m)
750.0 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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