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Abbott's sanddab (Citharichthys abbotti) — Paralichthyidae

Abbott's sanddab

Citharichthys abbotti
LC · Least Concern

The Abbott's sanddab (Citharichthys abbotti) is a saltwater fish of the family Paralichthyidae that grows up to 11 cm.

Length
11 cm
Water
Saltwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Flatfish
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

Abbott's sanddab is a left-eyed flatfish (Paralichthyidae) from shallow sandy and coastal water of the eastern Pacific. The species grows to about 15 cm and has a flat, oval body with both eyes on the left side; the top is sandy-brown mottled for camouflage, the underside white. As a bottom-bound ambush hunter it lies half-buried and seizes small fish, crustaceans and worms. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Abbott's sanddab?

The Abbott's sanddab has a flatfish-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Abbott's sanddab live?

The Abbott's sanddab lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Abbott's sanddab get?

The Abbott's sanddab grows to a maximum of about 11 cm.

Is the Abbott's sanddab dangerous to humans?

No, the Abbott's sanddab is harmless to humans.

Is the Abbott's sanddab edible?

The Abbott's sanddab is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Abbotts zandschar sourced
English name
Abbott's sanddab sourced
Scientific name
Citharichthys abbotti
Family
Paralichthyidae
Other names
Veracruz whiff sourced

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
11.0 sourced
Body shape
Flatfish sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Rounded 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
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Citharichthys

More from the family Paralichthyidae

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