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Cigarette paper (Hippoglossoides elassodon) — Pleuronectidae

Cigarette paper

Hippoglossoides elassodon
LC · Least Concern

The Cigarette paper (Hippoglossoides elassodon) is a saltwater fish of the family Pleuronectidae that grows up to 52 cm.

Length
52 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–1050.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
North Pacific; soft bottoms, usually deeper than 180 m.
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The flathead sole is a righteye flatfish (Pleuronectidae) from the northern Pacific. The species has an oval, flattened body with both eyes on the right side and a greyish-brown, mottled upper side. It inhabits soft bottoms; adults usually live deeper than 180 m. On the bottom it feeds on clams, worms and crustaceans. It is an important commercial flatfish caught with trawls. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Cigarette paper?

The Cigarette paper has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern. Right-eyed flatfish of deep soft bottoms; important commercial species.

Where does the Cigarette paper live?

The Cigarette paper lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. North Pacific; soft bottoms, usually deeper than 180 m.

How big does the Cigarette paper get?

The Cigarette paper grows to a maximum of about 52 cm.

Is the Cigarette paper dangerous to humans?

No, the Cigarette paper is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Cigarette paper edible?

Yes, the Cigarette paper is commonly eaten.

More photos

Cigarette paper (Hippoglossoides elassodon) — Pleuronectidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Adam Burger, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Cigarette paper (Hippoglossoides elassodon) — Pleuronectidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) alpal22, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Cigarette paper verified
Scientific name
Hippoglossoides elassodon
Family
Pleuronectidae
Other names
Flathead sole; Paper sole verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
52.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Spots inferred
Tail shape
Straight 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
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
1050.0 verified
Natural range
North Pacific; soft bottoms, usually deeper than 180 m. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Bivalves, worms and crustaceans sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
levensduur_max_jaar
27.0 verified
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Right-eyed flatfish of deep soft bottoms; important commercial species. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Fished with trawls in deep water. sourced
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Hippoglossoides

More from the family Pleuronectidae

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