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Three-spot flounder (Ancylopsetta dendritica) — Paralichthyidae

Three-spot flounder

Ancylopsetta dendritica
NE · Not Evaluated

The Three-spot flounder (Ancylopsetta dendritica) is a saltwater fish of the family Paralichthyidae that grows up to 35 cm.

Length
35 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
18.0–100.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The three-spot flounder is a flatfish (left-eyed flounder) from the eastern Pacific, off the coast of Central and South America. The species grows to about 35 cm and has an oval, strongly flattened, brown body with both eyes on the left side and three conspicuous dark, pale-ringed spots. As a bottom-dweller it lies half-buried in sand and mud bottoms of the continental shelf, between about 18 and 100 metres, and hunts small fish and crustaceans. It is a local food fish. The IUCN has not evaluated the species.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Three-spot flounder?

The Three-spot flounder has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Three-spot flounder live?

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

How big does the Three-spot flounder get?

The Three-spot flounder grows to a maximum of about 35 cm. On average the species is around 20 cm.

Is the Three-spot flounder dangerous to humans?

No, the Three-spot flounder is harmless to humans.

Is the Three-spot flounder edible?

Yes, the Three-spot flounder is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Drievlek-bot verified
English name
Three-spot flounder verified
Scientific name
Ancylopsetta dendritica
Family
Paralichthyidae
Other names
Threespot sand flounder verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
35.0 verified
Average length (cm)
20.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Spots 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)
18.0 verified
Max depth (m)
100.0 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
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Netvisserij 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 Ancylopsetta

More from the family Paralichthyidae

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