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Fowler's variegated flounder (Psettina variegata) — Bothidae

Fowler's variegated flounder

Psettina variegata
Family: Bothidae
NE · Not Evaluated

The Fowler's variegated flounder (Psettina variegata) is a saltwater fish of the family Bothidae that grows up to 9 cm.

Length
9.2 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
62.0–136.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Northwest Pacific
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

Fowler's variegated flounder is a small flatfish (left-eyed flounder) from the northwest Pacific, off Japan and nearby. The species grows to about 9 cm and has an oval, strongly flattened body with a variegated mottled pattern and both eyes on the left side. As a bottom-dweller it lies half-buried in sand and mud bottoms of the continental shelf, between about 60 and 135 metres, and hunts small benthic animals. The fish is harmless to humans and has no commercial value. The IUCN has not evaluated the species.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Fowler's variegated flounder?

The Fowler's variegated flounder has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern. Boldly blotched flattened body with the eyes on the left side; burrowing dwarf flounder

Where does the Fowler's variegated flounder live?

The Fowler's variegated flounder lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Northwest Pacific

How big does the Fowler's variegated flounder get?

The Fowler's variegated flounder grows to a maximum of about 9 cm.

Is the Fowler's variegated flounder dangerous to humans?

No, the Fowler's variegated 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 Fowler's variegated flounder edible?

The Fowler's variegated flounder is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
Fowler's variegated flounder verified
Scientific name
Psettina variegata
Family
Bothidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
9.2 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) 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)
62.0 verified
Max depth (m)
136.0 verified
Natural range
Northwest Pacific verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small benthic invertebrates inferred
Social behaviour
Solitary sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Nocturnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced
Seasonality
Burrowing dwarf flounder; present year-round. sourced
Special features
Boldly blotched flattened body with the eyes on the left side; burrowing dwarf flounder sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Not a target species for angling; at most an incidental catch or usable as baitfish. 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 Psettina

More from the family Bothidae

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