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Craig fluke (Glyptocephalus cynoglossus) — Pleuronectidae

Craig fluke

Glyptocephalus cynoglossus
VU · Vulnerable

The Craig fluke (Glyptocephalus cynoglossus) is a saltwater fish of the family Pleuronectidae that grows up to 60 cm.

Length
60 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
18.0–1570.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The witch flounder is a slender, strongly compressed flatfish of the family Pleuronectidae reaching about 60 cm. The elongate body is uniformly brown with rough scales and large mucus pores on the blind underside; the pectoral fin tip is dark. It lives on soft mud bottoms in fairly deep water of the northern Atlantic, usually between 45 and 366 m, feeding on crustaceans, polychaete worms and brittle stars. Its eggs and larvae are pelagic. Fishing pressure has reduced stocks and the species is assessed as Vulnerable, yet it is still landed regularly as a food fish.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Craig fluke?

The Craig fluke has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Craig fluke live?

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

How big does the Craig fluke get?

The Craig fluke grows to a maximum of about 60 cm.

Is the Craig fluke dangerous to humans?

No, the Craig fluke is harmless to humans.

Is the Craig fluke edible?

Yes, the Craig fluke is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Hondstong sourced
English name
Craig fluke verified
Scientific name
Glyptocephalus cynoglossus
Family
Pleuronectidae
Other names
Gray sole; Grey sole; Grey-sole; Whitch; Witch verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
18.0 verified
Max depth (m)
1570.0 verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore verified
Social behaviour
Solitary verified
Territorial
No verified
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes verified
Sexual dimorphism
No verified
levensduur_max_jaar
25.0 verified

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten verified
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

Same genus Glyptocephalus

More from the family Pleuronectidae

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