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Hornyhead turbot (Pleuronichthys verticalis) — Pleuronectidae

Hornyhead turbot

Pleuronichthys verticalis
LC · Least Concern

The Hornyhead turbot (Pleuronichthys verticalis) is a saltwater fish of the family Pleuronectidae that grows up to 37 cm.

Length
37 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
9.0–200.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Eastern Pacific off the west coast of North America; soft bottoms.
Edibility
Rarely eaten

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Description

The hornyhead turbot is a righteye flatfish of the family Pleuronectidae from the eastern Pacific off the west coast of North America. The species has a flattened, almost round body with both eyes on the right side and a bony knob between the eyes, to which the name refers. It inhabits soft sand and mud bottoms of coastal waters, where it partly buries itself. On the bottom it feeds on polychaete worms and other small invertebrates. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Hornyhead turbot?

The Hornyhead turbot has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern. Almost round, right-eyed flatfish body with a bony knob between the eyes; buries itself.

Where does the Hornyhead turbot live?

The Hornyhead turbot lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Eastern Pacific off the west coast of North America; soft bottoms.

How big does the Hornyhead turbot get?

The Hornyhead turbot grows to a maximum of about 37 cm.

Is the Hornyhead turbot dangerous to humans?

No, the Hornyhead turbot is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Hornyhead turbot edible?

The Hornyhead turbot is rarely eaten.

More photos

Hornyhead turbot (Pleuronichthys verticalis) — Pleuronectidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) hyperiodic, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Hornyhead turbot (Pleuronichthys verticalis) — Pleuronectidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) hyperiodic, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Hornyhead turbot (Pleuronichthys verticalis) — Pleuronectidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Stefanie, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Hornyhead turbot (Pleuronichthys verticalis) — Pleuronectidae — 5
CallieSanDiego (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
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All data

Identification

English name
Hornyhead turbot verified
Scientific name
Pleuronichthys verticalis
Family
Pleuronectidae
Other names
Hornyhead turbot verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
37.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown 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)
9.0 verified
Max depth (m)
200.0 verified
Natural range
Eastern Pacific off the west coast of North America; soft bottoms. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Polychaetes and other small 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
Almost round, right-eyed flatfish body with a bony knob between the eyes; buries itself. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely 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 Pleuronichthys

More from the family Pleuronectidae

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