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Channel flounder (Syacium micrurum) — Paralichthyidae

Channel flounder

Syacium micrurum
LC · Least Concern

The Channel flounder (Syacium micrurum) is a saltwater fish of the family Paralichthyidae that grows up to 40 cm.

Length
40 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0–412.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

The channel flounder is a left-eyed flatfish of the family Paralichthyidae occurring in the Atlantic Ocean. The species has an oval, brown mottled body with both eyes on the left side and a white underside, and reaches about 40 cm. It lives half-buried on soft bottoms of the continental shelf. The diet consists of worms and crustaceans. The species shows sexual dimorphism: males have, among other things, a broader head and longer fin rays. The channel flounder is of modest commercial importance and is rarely eaten.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Channel flounder?

The Channel flounder has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a marbled pattern.

Where does the Channel flounder live?

The Channel flounder lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Channel flounder get?

The Channel flounder grows to a maximum of about 40 cm. On average the species is around 20 cm.

Is the Channel flounder dangerous to humans?

No, the Channel flounder is harmless to humans.

Is the Channel flounder edible?

The Channel flounder is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Kanaalbot sourced
English name
Channel flounder verified
Scientific name
Syacium micrurum
Family
Paralichthyidae
Other names
Channel Flounder; Channel flounder; Flounder verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
40.0 verified
Average length (cm)
20.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Marbled 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
Mixed bottom sourced
Max depth (m)
412.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely 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 Syacium

More from the family Paralichthyidae

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