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Smallscale tonguesole (Cynoglossus microlepis) — Cynoglossidae

Smallscale tonguesole

Cynoglossus microlepis
Family: Cynoglossidae

The Smallscale tonguesole (Cynoglossus microlepis) is a freshwater fish of the family Cynoglossidae that grows up to 33 cm.

Length
32.5 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The smallscale tonguesole is a tonguefish (Cynoglossidae) from fresh, brackish and coastal water of Southeast Asia, including the Mekong and Chao Phraya basins. The species grows to about 33 cm and has a tongue-shaped, strongly flattened, brownish body with both eyes on the left side and the dorsal, caudal and anal fins fused into a continuous fin margin. As a bottom-dweller it lies on sand and mud bottoms of rivers and estuaries and snaps at small worms and crustaceans. It is a food fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Smallscale tonguesole?

The Smallscale tonguesole has a flattened, disc-shaped body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Smallscale tonguesole live?

The Smallscale tonguesole lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Smallscale tonguesole get?

The Smallscale tonguesole grows to a maximum of about 33 cm.

Is the Smallscale tonguesole dangerous to humans?

No, the Smallscale tonguesole is harmless to humans.

Is the Smallscale tonguesole edible?

Yes, the Smallscale tonguesole is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Kleinschub-tongschar sourced
English name
Smallscale tonguesole sourced
Scientific name
Cynoglossus microlepis
Family
Cynoglossidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
32.5 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
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

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
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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