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Fivespot flounder (Pseudorhombus pentophthalmus) — Paralichthyidae

Fivespot flounder

Pseudorhombus pentophthalmus
LC · Least Concern

The Fivespot flounder (Pseudorhombus pentophthalmus) is a saltwater fish of the family Paralichthyidae that grows up to 27 cm.

Length
26.8 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
38.0–150.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The fivespot flounder is a left-eyed flatfish of the family Paralichthyidae from the northwestern Pacific, around Japan, Korea and China. The species reaches about 27 cm; both eyes lie on the left side of the body. The eyed side is brown with five conspicuous dark eye-spots, to which the name refers, providing camouflage on the bottom. It lives on mud and sand bottoms of the continental shelf, from about 38 to 150 m deep, and feeds on small bottom crustaceans and fishes. The species is marketed fresh and salt-dried.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Fivespot flounder?

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

Where does the Fivespot flounder live?

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

How big does the Fivespot flounder get?

The Fivespot flounder grows to a maximum of about 27 cm. On average the species is around 12 cm.

Is the Fivespot flounder dangerous to humans?

No, the Fivespot flounder is harmless to humans.

Is the Fivespot flounder edible?

Yes, the Fivespot flounder is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Vijfvlek-bot sourced
English name
Fivespot flounder verified
Scientific name
Pseudorhombus pentophthalmus
Family
Paralichthyidae
Other names
Fivespot flounder verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
26.8 verified
Average length (cm)
12.0 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)
38.0 verified
Max depth (m)
150.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
levensduur_max_jaar
3.0 verified

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
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 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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