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Beach flounder (Syacium latifrons) — Paralichthyidae

Beach flounder

Syacium latifrons

The Beach flounder (Syacium latifrons) is a saltwater fish of the family Paralichthyidae that grows up to 28 cm.

Length
28 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
20.0–100.0 m
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Flatfish
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The beach flounder is a left-eyed flatfish (Paralichthyidae) from shallow sandy and coastal water of the eastern Pacific. The species grows to about 25 cm and has a flat, oval body with both eyes on the left side; the top is sandy-brown mottled for camouflage, the underside white. As a bottom-bound ambush hunter it lies half-buried and seizes small fish, crustaceans and worms. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Beach flounder?

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

Where does the Beach flounder live?

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

How big does the Beach flounder get?

The Beach flounder grows to a maximum of about 28 cm. On average the species is around 18 cm.

Is the Beach flounder dangerous to humans?

No, the Beach flounder is harmless to humans.

Is the Beach flounder edible?

Yes, the Beach flounder is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Breedkop-bot sourced
English name
Beach flounder sourced
Scientific name
Syacium latifrons
Family
Paralichthyidae
Other names
Beach flounder verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
28.0 verified
Average length (cm)
18.0 verified
Body shape
Flatfish sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
20.0 verified
Max depth (m)
100.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
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 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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