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Shortheaded tonguesole (Cynoglossus kopsii) — Cynoglossidae

Shortheaded tonguesole

Cynoglossus kopsii
Family: Cynoglossidae

The Shortheaded tonguesole (Cynoglossus kopsii) is a saltwater fish of the family Cynoglossidae that grows up to 60 cm.

Length
60 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
24.0–204.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Flatfish
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Shortheaded tonguesole is a tonguesole (Cynoglossidae) from shallow coastal and estuarine water of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 20 cm and has a strongly flattened, tongue-shaped body with both eyes on the left side, a down-curved mouth and a finely mottled, brown upper side for camouflage. As a bottom-bound fish it lies half-buried in sand and mud and searches for small worms, crustaceans and molluscs. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Shortheaded tonguesole?

The Shortheaded tonguesole has a flatfish-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Shortheaded tonguesole live?

The Shortheaded tonguesole lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Shortheaded tonguesole get?

The Shortheaded tonguesole grows to a maximum of about 60 cm.

Is the Shortheaded tonguesole dangerous to humans?

No, the Shortheaded tonguesole is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Kops' tongschar sourced
English name
Shortheaded tonguesole sourced
Scientific name
Cynoglossus kopsii
Family
Cynoglossidae
Other names
Kop's tonguesole; Kops' tonguesole; Shortheaded tonguesole verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
60.0 verified
Body shape
Flatfish sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
24.0 verified
Max depth (m)
204.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. 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 Cynoglossus

More from the family Cynoglossidae

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