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Papillose flounder (Syacium guineensis) — Paralichthyidae

Papillose flounder

Syacium guineensis

The Papillose flounder (Syacium guineensis) is a saltwater fish of the family Paralichthyidae that grows up to 20 cm.

Length
20 cm
Water
Saltwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Flatfish
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

The papillose flounder is a small flatfish of the family Paralichthyidae (sand flounders) reaching about 20 cm. Both eyes lie on the left side of the head; in adult males the eyes are set wider apart than in females. The brown, marbled upper side gives good camouflage on sand and mud bottoms, where the fish lies half-buried watching for prey. The species lives over soft bottoms of the continental shelf along the West African coast. On the bottom it ambushes small crustaceans, worms and small fish. Because of its small size it has little commercial value and is mostly landed as bycatch.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Papillose flounder?

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

Where does the Papillose flounder live?

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

How big does the Papillose flounder get?

The Papillose flounder grows to a maximum of about 20 cm.

Is the Papillose flounder dangerous to humans?

No, the Papillose flounder is harmless to humans.

Is the Papillose flounder edible?

The Papillose flounder is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Guinese bot inferred
English name
Papillose flounder verified
Scientific name
Syacium guineensis
Family
Paralichthyidae

Appearance

Max length (cm)
20 verified
Body shape
Flatfish verified
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No verified
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
No verified

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater verified
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten verified
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Syacium

More from the family Paralichthyidae

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