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Slender tonguefish (Cynoglossus gracilis) — Cynoglossidae

Slender tonguefish

Cynoglossus gracilis
Family: Cynoglossidae

The Slender tonguefish (Cynoglossus gracilis) is a brackish-water fish of the family Cynoglossidae that grows up to 31 cm.

Length
31 cm
Water
Brackish
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: China, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Hong Kong, Korea (South)

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Description

The Slender tonguefish is a tonguefish (Cynoglossidae) from coastal and estuarine water of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 20 cm and has a flattened, elongate, leaf-shaped body tapering to a point at the rear, with both eyes on the left side and a down-curved snout. As a bottom-dweller it lies buried on sand and mud bottoms and snaps at small worms, crustaceans and molluscs. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Slender tonguefish?

The Slender tonguefish has a flattened, disc-shaped body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Slender tonguefish live?

The Slender tonguefish lives in brackish water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Asia: China, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Hong Kong, Korea (South)

How big does the Slender tonguefish get?

The Slender tonguefish grows to a maximum of about 31 cm.

Is the Slender tonguefish dangerous to humans?

No, the Slender tonguefish 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.

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All data

Identification

English name
Slender tonguefish sourced
Scientific name
Cynoglossus gracilis
Family
Cynoglossidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
31.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Natural range
Asia: China, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Hong Kong, Korea (South) 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

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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