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Crested flounder (Lophonectes gallus) — Bothidae

Crested flounder

Lophonectes gallus
Family: Bothidae

The Crested flounder (Lophonectes gallus) is a saltwater fish of the family Bothidae that grows up to 20 cm.

Length
20 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
26.0–240.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Oceania: Australia, New Zealand, Kermadec Is.

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Description

The crested flounder is a small lefteye flounder (Bothidae) from coastal waters of southern Australia and New Zealand. The species grows to about 20 cm and has an oval, strongly flattened, brown-mottled body with both eyes on the left side; males have a few elongate front dorsal rays forming a crest. As a bottom-dweller it lies half-buried on sand and mud bottoms and snaps at small crustaceans and worms. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Crested flounder?

The Crested flounder has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a marbled pattern.

Where does the Crested flounder live?

The Crested flounder lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Oceania: Australia, New Zealand, Kermadec Is.

How big does the Crested flounder get?

The Crested flounder grows to a maximum of about 20 cm.

Is the Crested flounder dangerous to humans?

No, the Crested 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

Crested flounder (Lophonectes gallus) — Bothidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Ken Graham, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Crested flounder (Lophonectes gallus) — Bothidae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — Edgar Ravenswood Waite (Public domain)
Crested flounder (Lophonectes gallus) — Bothidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Ken Graham, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Crested flounder (Lophonectes gallus) — Bothidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Ken Graham, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Crested flounder sourced
Scientific name
Lophonectes gallus
Family
Bothidae
Other names
Crested flounder verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
20.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Marbled sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Superior (upward) sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
26.0 verified
Max depth (m)
240.0 verified
Natural range
Oceania: Australia, New Zealand, Kermadec Is. sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

Fishing method
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

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

More from the family Bothidae

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