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Antarctic armless flounder (Mancopsetta maculata) — Achiropsettidae

Antarctic armless flounder

Mancopsetta maculata

The Antarctic armless flounder (Mancopsetta maculata) is a saltwater fish of the family Achiropsettidae that grows up to 50 cm.

Length
50 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
100.0–1115.0 m
Body shape
Flatfish
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The Antarctic armless flounder is a flatfish (Achiropsettidae) from cold, deep waters of the Southern Ocean around Antarctica. The species grows to about 25 cm and has a flat, elongate, brown-mottled body with both eyes on one side and strongly reduced pectoral fins. As a bottom-bound fish of the continental slope it lies half-buried on sand and mud and snaps at small crustaceans, worms and small fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Antarctic armless flounder?

The Antarctic armless flounder has a flatfish-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Antarctic armless flounder live?

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

How big does the Antarctic armless flounder get?

The Antarctic armless flounder grows to a maximum of about 50 cm.

Is the Antarctic armless flounder dangerous to humans?

No, the Antarctic armless flounder is harmless to humans.

Is the Antarctic armless flounder edible?

Yes, the Antarctic armless flounder is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Antarctische armloze bot sourced
English name
Antarctic armless flounder sourced
Scientific name
Mancopsetta maculata
Family
Achiropsettidae
Other names
Antarctic armless flounder; Spotted flounder verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
50.0 verified
Body shape
Flatfish sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
100.0 verified
Max depth (m)
1115.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
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 verified

Status & sources

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

More from the family Achiropsettidae

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