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Deep flounder (Pseudorhombus elevatus) — Paralichthyidae

Deep flounder

Pseudorhombus elevatus
LC · Least Concern

The Deep flounder (Pseudorhombus elevatus) is a saltwater fish of the family Paralichthyidae that grows up to 38 cm.

Length
37.5 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
7.0–200.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The deep flounder is a flatfish from the Indo-West Pacific, ranging from the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf to South Africa and east to Taiwan and northeastern Australia. The species grows to about 38 cm and has the typical strongly flattened, asymmetric body of a flounder with both eyes on the left side; the eyed side bears dark rings in rows and a dark blotch at the lateral-line curve. As a bottom-dweller the fish lives on clay, sand and mud bottoms of the continental shelf between 7 and 200 metres depth and eats bottom animals. It is a food fish. The IUCN assesses the species as Least Concern (LC).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Deep flounder?

The Deep flounder has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Deep flounder live?

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

How big does the Deep flounder get?

The Deep flounder grows to a maximum of about 38 cm. On average the species is around 15 cm.

Is the Deep flounder dangerous to humans?

No, the Deep flounder is harmless to humans.

Is the Deep flounder edible?

Yes, the Deep flounder is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Diepe bot verified
English name
Deep flounder verified
Scientific name
Pseudorhombus elevatus
Family
Paralichthyidae
Other names
Deep flounder; Deep-bodied flounder verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
37.5 verified
Average length (cm)
15.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous 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)
200.0 verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Nocturnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bodemvissen met garnaal of zeepier op zachte bodems. sourced
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 Pseudorhombus

More from the family Paralichthyidae

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