Home · Cynoglossidae · Dark Tonguefish
Dark Tonguefish (Symphurus nigrescens) — Cynoglossidae

Dark Tonguefish

Symphurus nigrescens
Family: Cynoglossidae
LC · Least Concern

The Dark Tonguefish (Symphurus nigrescens) is a saltwater fish of the family Cynoglossidae that grows up to 12 cm.

Length
12.3 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
20.0–1140.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The dark tonguefish is a small tonguefish from the eastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean Sea. The species grows to about 12 cm and has the typical, strongly asymmetric flatfish body with both eyes on one side and a dark, brownish colour. As a bottom-dweller it lives on soft sandy and muddy bottoms of the deeper continental shelf and feeds on small benthic invertebrates. The fish is harmless to humans and is assessed as Least Concern (LC) by the IUCN.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Dark Tonguefish?

The Dark Tonguefish has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Dark Tonguefish live?

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

How big does the Dark Tonguefish get?

The Dark Tonguefish grows to a maximum of about 12 cm.

Is the Dark Tonguefish dangerous to humans?

No, the Dark Tonguefish is harmless to humans.

Is the Dark Tonguefish edible?

The Dark Tonguefish is not usually eaten.

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →

All data

Identification

Dutch name
Donkere tongvis verified
English name
Dark Tonguefish verified
Scientific name
Symphurus nigrescens
Family
Cynoglossidae
Other names
Spotted tonguesole; Tonguesole; Tongue-sole verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
12.3 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Plain sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
20.0 verified
Max depth (m)
1140.0 verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Nocturnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Geen doelsoort voor de hengelsport; hooguit incidentele vangst of bruikbaar als aasvisje. 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 Symphurus

More from the family Cynoglossidae

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →