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Shrimp flounder (Gastropsetta frontalis) — Paralichthyidae

Shrimp flounder

Gastropsetta frontalis
LC · Least Concern

The Shrimp flounder (Gastropsetta frontalis) is a saltwater fish of the family Paralichthyidae that grows up to 25 cm.

Length
25 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1.0–82.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

The shrimp flounder is a left-eyed flatfish (Paralichthyidae) from the western Atlantic and the Gulf of Mexico. The species has an oval, flattened body with both eyes on the left side and a sand-coloured, mottled upper side that camouflages it on the bottom. It inhabits bays, lagoons and shallow coastal waters on soft bottoms, where it partly buries itself in the sediment. As an ambush hunter it springs on small crustaceans, shrimps and small fishes. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Shrimp flounder?

The Shrimp flounder has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Shrimp flounder live?

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

How big does the Shrimp flounder get?

The Shrimp flounder grows to a maximum of about 25 cm.

Is the Shrimp flounder dangerous to humans?

No, the Shrimp flounder is harmless to humans.

Is the Shrimp flounder edible?

The Shrimp flounder is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Garnaalbot sourced
English name
Shrimp flounder verified
Scientific name
Gastropsetta frontalis
Family
Paralichthyidae
Other names
Shrimp flounder verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
25.0 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
Min depth (m)
1.0 verified
Max depth (m)
82.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
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 sourced

Status & sources

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

More from the family Paralichthyidae

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