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Eckstrom's topknot (Zeugopterus regius) — Scophthalmidae

Eckstrom's topknot

Zeugopterus regius
LC · Least Concern

The Eckstrom's topknot (Zeugopterus regius) is a saltwater fish of the family Scophthalmidae that grows up to 20 cm.

Length
20 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
10.0–180.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Flatfish
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Northeast Atlantic, on rocky and stony bottoms from shallow to moderately deep water.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

Eckstrom's topknot is a small, left-eyed flatfish of the family Scophthalmidae reaching about 20 cm. Unlike plaice and sole both eyes lie on the left side, which is brownish and mottled with several distinct dark blotches. The body is deep and almost round, with a continuous fin fringe; with its underside the fish can cling to rocks. The species lives on rocky and stony bottoms of the north-eastern Atlantic, from shallow to moderate depths, often hidden among stones and weeds. On the bottom it hunts small crustaceans, worms and small fish. Because of its small size it has no fishery importance, but it is a typical inhabitant of rocky shores.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Eckstrom's topknot?

The Eckstrom's topknot has a flatfish-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a marbled pattern. Small, left-eyed flatfish with a deep, rounded shape and distinct dark blotches; clings to rocks with its underside.

Where does the Eckstrom's topknot live?

The Eckstrom's topknot lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Northeast Atlantic, on rocky and stony bottoms from shallow to moderately deep water.

How big does the Eckstrom's topknot get?

The Eckstrom's topknot grows to a maximum of about 20 cm. On average the species is around 12 cm.

Is the Eckstrom's topknot dangerous to humans?

No, the Eckstrom's topknot is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Eckstrom's topknot edible?

The Eckstrom's topknot is not usually eaten.

More photos

Eckstrom's topknot (Zeugopterus regius) — Scophthalmidae — 2
Jasper Van Vlasselaer (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF
Eckstrom's topknot (Zeugopterus regius) — Scophthalmidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) marnik1, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Eckstrom's topknot (Zeugopterus regius) — Scophthalmidae — 4
Xavier Rufray (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
Eckstrom's topknot (Zeugopterus regius) — Scophthalmidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Gonzalo Mucientes Sandoval, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))

Easily confused with

These species look like the Eckstrom's topknot and live in the same waters.

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All data

Identification

English name
Eckstrom's topknot verified
Scientific name
Zeugopterus regius
Family
Scophthalmidae
Other names
Eckström's topknot; Ekstroms topknot verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
20.0 verified
Average length (cm)
12.0 verified
Body shape
Flatfish verified
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Marbled sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No verified
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
No verified

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater verified
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
10.0 verified
Max depth (m)
180.0 verified
Natural range
Northeast Atlantic, on rocky and stony bottoms from shallow to moderately deep water. verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore verified
Diet (detail)
Small crustaceans, worms and small fishes sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary verified
Territorial
No verified
Activity
Nocturnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes verified
Sexual dimorphism
No verified
Seasonality
Lives on rocky bottoms; the juvenile fish is still symmetrical and sinks to the bottom after metamorphosis. sourced
Special features
Small, left-eyed flatfish with a deep, rounded shape and distinct dark blotches; clings to rocks with its underside. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten verified
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
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Zeugopterus

More from the family Scophthalmidae

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