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Largescale tonguesole (Cynoglossus arel) — Cynoglossidae

Largescale tonguesole

Cynoglossus arel
Family: Cynoglossidae

The Largescale tonguesole (Cynoglossus arel) is a brackish-water fish of the family Cynoglossidae that grows up to 40 cm.

Length
40 cm
Water
Brackish
Depth
9.0–125.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Bahrain, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, China, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Hong Kong and others
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The Largescale tonguesole is a tonguesole (Cynoglossidae) from coastal waters of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 40 cm and has an elongate, tongue-shaped, strongly flattened, brown body with both eyes on the left side and a downcurved snout. As a bottom-dweller it lies half-buried on sand and mud bottoms and searches for small worms and crustaceans. It is a food fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Largescale tonguesole?

The Largescale tonguesole has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Largescale tonguesole live?

The Largescale tonguesole lives in brackish water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Asia: Bahrain, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, China, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Hong Kong and others

How big does the Largescale tonguesole get?

The Largescale tonguesole grows to a maximum of about 40 cm. On average the species is around 30 cm.

Is the Largescale tonguesole dangerous to humans?

No, the Largescale tonguesole 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 Largescale tonguesole edible?

Yes, the Largescale tonguesole is commonly eaten.

More photos

Largescale tonguesole (Cynoglossus arel) — Cynoglossidae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — Hamid Badar Osmany (CC BY 3.0)
Largescale tonguesole (Cynoglossus arel) — Cynoglossidae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — Anup Sadi (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Largescale tonguesole (Cynoglossus arel) — Cynoglossidae — 4
Wikimedia Commons — Robert Mintern (Public domain)
Largescale tonguesole (Cynoglossus arel) — Cynoglossidae — 5
Naturalis Biodiversity Center (CC0 1.0) via GBIF
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All data

Identification

English name
Largescale tonguesole sourced
Scientific name
Cynoglossus arel
Family
Cynoglossidae
Other names
Largescale tonguesole; Large-scaly sole; Macao sole; Tonguefish; Tongue sole verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
40.0 verified
Average length (cm)
30.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
9.0 verified
Max depth (m)
125.0 verified
Natural range
Asia: Bahrain, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, China, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Hong Kong and others sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Diet (detail)
Small fishes, crustaceans and invertebrates inferred
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
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 verified
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 Cynoglossus

More from the family Cynoglossidae

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