Home · Paralichthyidae · Foureye flounder
Foureye flounder (Hippoglossina tetrophthalma) — Paralichthyidae

Foureye flounder

Hippoglossina tetrophthalma
LC · Least Concern

The Foureye flounder (Hippoglossina tetrophthalma) is a saltwater fish of the family Paralichthyidae that grows up to 36 cm.

Length
36 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0–140.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Eastern Pacific; sand and mud bottoms of shelf and slope.
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Want the complete picture on the Foureye flounder?

Get the app

Description

The bigeye flounder is a left-eyed flatfish (Paralichthyidae) from the eastern Pacific. The species has an oval, flattened body with both eyes on the left side, conspicuously large eyes and a sand-coloured, mottled upper side. It inhabits sand and mud bottoms of the continental shelf and slope. As an ambush hunter it lies partly buried and springs on small fishes and crustaceans. It is processed fresh or as fishmeal. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Foureye flounder?

The Foureye flounder has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a spots pattern. Left-eyed flatfish with strikingly large eyes; pounces on prey from the sand.

Where does the Foureye flounder live?

The Foureye flounder lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Eastern Pacific; sand and mud bottoms of shelf and slope.

How big does the Foureye flounder get?

The Foureye flounder grows to a maximum of about 36 cm. On average the species is around 20 cm.

Is the Foureye flounder dangerous to humans?

No, the Foureye flounder is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Foureye flounder edible?

Yes, the Foureye flounder is commonly eaten.

More photos

Foureye flounder (Hippoglossina tetrophthalma) — Paralichthyidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Comunidad y Biodiversidad A. C., some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Foureye flounder (Hippoglossina tetrophthalma) — Paralichthyidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Comunidad y Biodiversidad A. C., some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Foureye flounder (Hippoglossina tetrophthalma) — Paralichthyidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Daniel, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

Want the complete picture on the Foureye flounder?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Foureye flounder is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →

All data

Identification

English name
Foureye flounder verified
Scientific name
Hippoglossina tetrophthalma
Family
Paralichthyidae
Other names
Fourspot flounder verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Max depth (m)
140.0 verified
Natural range
Eastern Pacific; sand and mud bottoms of shelf and slope. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small fishes and crustaceans sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Left-eyed flatfish with strikingly large eyes; pounces on prey from the sand. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly 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
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Hippoglossina

More from the family Paralichthyidae

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Foureye flounder?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Foureye flounder is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →
Is this the Foureye flounder? Get the app