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Disc flounder (Bothus myriaster) — Bothidae

Disc flounder

Bothus myriaster
Family: Bothidae
LC · Least Concern

The Disc flounder (Bothus myriaster) is a saltwater fish of the family Bothidae that grows up to 27 cm.

Length
27 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
10.0–155.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Indo-Pacific
Edibility
Rarely eaten

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Description

The Indo-Pacific oval flounder is a left-eyed flatfish from the Indo-Pacific. The species grows to about 27 cm and has the typical, strongly asymmetric flatfish body with both eyes on the left side and a rounded, brown upper side speckled with numerous small blue and dark spots. As a bottom-dweller it lies buried in sandy and muddy bottoms and ambushes small bottom animals. The fish is harmless to humans and is assessed as Least Concern (LC) by the IUCN.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Disc flounder?

The Disc flounder has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern. Round left-eyed flatfish covered with small blue spots

Where does the Disc flounder live?

The Disc flounder lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Indo-Pacific

How big does the Disc flounder get?

The Disc flounder grows to a maximum of about 27 cm.

Is the Disc flounder dangerous to humans?

No, the Disc 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.

Is the Disc flounder edible?

The Disc flounder is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
Disc flounder verified
Scientific name
Bothus myriaster
Family
Bothidae
Other names
Disc flounder; Discoid flounder; Flounder; Indo-Pacific oval flounder; Oval flounder verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
27.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
10.0 verified
Max depth (m)
155.0 verified
Natural range
Indo-Pacific verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small benthic invertebrates and crustaceans inferred
Social behaviour
Solitary sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Nocturnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced
Seasonality
Burrowing flatfish on soft bottom; present year-round. sourced
Special features
Round left-eyed flatfish covered with small blue spots sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
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 sourced
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

Same genus Bothus

More from the family Bothidae

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