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Tosa flounder (Psettina tosana) — Bothidae

Tosa flounder

Psettina tosana
Family: Bothidae

The Tosa flounder (Psettina tosana) is a saltwater fish of the family Bothidae that grows up to 12 cm.

Length
12 cm
Water
Saltwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Flatfish
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Hong Kong, Japan

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Description

The Tosa flounder is a flatfish (Bothidae) from sand and mud bottoms of the northwestern Pacific around Japan. The species grows to about 12 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 Tosa flounder?

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

Where does the Tosa flounder live?

The Tosa flounder lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Asia: Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Hong Kong, Japan

How big does the Tosa flounder get?

The Tosa flounder grows to a maximum of about 12 cm.

Is the Tosa flounder dangerous to humans?

No, the Tosa flounder is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

More photos

Tosa flounder (Psettina tosana) — Bothidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) hydradon, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))

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All data

Identification

English name
Tosa flounder sourced
Scientific name
Psettina tosana
Family
Bothidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
12
Body shape
Flatfish sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Marbled sourced
Tail shape
Rounded

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Natural range
Asia: Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Hong Kong, Japan sourced
Origin
Native

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore
Diet (detail)
Small fishes, crustaceans and invertebrates
Social behaviour
Solitary
Territorial
No
Reproduction
Separate sexes
Sexual dimorphism
No
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known.

For anglers

Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish.
Regulations source

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Psettina

More from the family Bothidae

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