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Gray flounder (Etropus rimosus) — Paralichthyidae

Gray flounder

Etropus rimosus
LC · Least Concern

The Gray flounder (Etropus rimosus) is a saltwater fish of the family Paralichthyidae that grows up to 13 cm.

Length
13 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
7.0–180.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Irregular
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Continental shelf of the western Atlantic.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

Etropus rimosus is a small flatfish of the family Paralichthyidae from the western Atlantic. Like other left-eyed flatfishes both eyes lie on the left side of the body and the fish rests flat on the bottom, with a sandy-brown, mottled upper side that provides camouflage. The species usually occurs deeper than 40 metres on soft bottoms of the continental shelf. As a bottom dweller it feeds on small invertebrates and benthic organisms. The fish reaches about 13 cm and, owing to its small size, has little fishery importance.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Gray flounder?

The Gray flounder has an irregular in shape body, is mainly brown and shows a marbled pattern. Left-eyed flatfish with a camouflaging, marbled upper side; lives in deeper water.

Where does the Gray flounder live?

The Gray flounder lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Continental shelf of the western Atlantic.

How big does the Gray flounder get?

The Gray flounder grows to a maximum of about 13 cm.

Is the Gray flounder dangerous to humans?

No, the Gray 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 Gray flounder edible?

The Gray flounder is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
Gray flounder verified
Scientific name
Etropus rimosus
Family
Paralichthyidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
13.0 verified
Body shape
Irregular sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Marbled inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
7.0 verified
Max depth (m)
180.0 verified
Natural range
Continental shelf of the western Atlantic. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small bottom-dwelling invertebrates 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 a camouflaging, marbled upper side; lives in deeper water. 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 Etropus

More from the family Paralichthyidae

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