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Slime flounder (Microstomus achne) — Pleuronectidae

Slime flounder

Microstomus achne

The Slime flounder (Microstomus achne) is a saltwater fish of the family Pleuronectidae that grows up to 60 cm.

Length
60 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
15.0–800.0 m
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: China, Japan, Korea (North), Korea (South), Russia, Kuril Is.
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The slime flounder is a flatfish (Pleuronectidae) from cold coastal waters of the northwest Pacific, off East Asia. The species grows to about 60 cm and has an oval, strongly flattened, brown body with both eyes on the right side and a conspicuously slimy skin. As a bottom-dweller it lies half-buried on sand and mud bottoms of the continental shelf and searches for small worms, crustaceans and molluscs. It is a food fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Slime flounder?

The Slime flounder has a flattened, disc-shaped body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Slime flounder live?

The Slime flounder lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Asia: China, Japan, Korea (North), Korea (South), Russia, Kuril Is.

How big does the Slime flounder get?

The Slime flounder grows to a maximum of about 60 cm.

Is the Slime flounder dangerous to humans?

No, the Slime flounder 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 Slime flounder edible?

Yes, the Slime flounder is commonly eaten.

More photos

Slime flounder (Microstomus achne) — Pleuronectidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) taiwan_habu, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Slime flounder (Microstomus achne) — Pleuronectidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) koreanecodiary, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Slime flounder (Microstomus achne) — Pleuronectidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Eric.L.Chen, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Slime flounder (Microstomus achne) — Pleuronectidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) 李博恒, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
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All data

Identification

English name
Slime flounder sourced
Scientific name
Microstomus achne
Family
Pleuronectidae
Other names
Slime flounder verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
60.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
15.0 verified
Max depth (m)
800.0 verified
Natural range
Asia: China, Japan, Korea (North), Korea (South), Russia, Kuril Is. sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

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 Microstomus

More from the family Pleuronectidae

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