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Three-eyed flounder (Samariscus triocellatus) — Samaridae

Three-eyed flounder

Samariscus triocellatus
Family: Samaridae
LC · Least Concern

The Three-eyed flounder (Samariscus triocellatus) is a saltwater fish of the family Samaridae that grows up to 10 cm.

Length
10 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
3.0–30.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Indo-West Pacific; coral heads of lagoon and seaward reefs.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The threespot righteye flounder is a small flatfish (Samaridae) from the Indo-West Pacific. The species is right-eyed and has an oval, flattened body with three conspicuous eyespots on the eyed side. It inhabits coral heads of lagoon and seaward reefs, often in shallow caves or under ledges, and can press itself flat against the substrate. On the bottom it feeds on small invertebrates. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Three-eyed flounder?

The Three-eyed flounder has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern. Right-eyed reef flatfish with three eyespots; presses itself flat against coral heads.

Where does the Three-eyed flounder live?

The Three-eyed flounder lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Indo-West Pacific; coral heads of lagoon and seaward reefs.

How big does the Three-eyed flounder get?

The Three-eyed flounder grows to a maximum of about 10 cm.

Is the Three-eyed flounder dangerous to humans?

No, the Three-eyed flounder is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Three-eyed flounder edible?

The Three-eyed flounder is not usually eaten.

More photos

Three-eyed flounder (Samariscus triocellatus) — Samaridae — 2
Williams, Jeffrey T. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Three-eyed flounder (Samariscus triocellatus) — Samaridae — 3
Williams, Jeffrey T. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Three-eyed flounder (Samariscus triocellatus) — Samaridae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) uwkwaj, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Three-eyed flounder (Samariscus triocellatus) — Samaridae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) DavidR.808, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Three-eyed flounder verified
Scientific name
Samariscus triocellatus
Family
Samaridae
Other names
Threespot flounder; Three-spot righteye flounder verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
10.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Spots 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
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
3.0 verified
Max depth (m)
30.0 verified
Natural range
Indo-West Pacific; coral heads of lagoon and seaward reefs. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small bottom-dwelling invertebrates sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Right-eyed reef flatfish with three eyespots; presses itself flat against coral heads. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Not a target species for angling; at most an incidental catch or usable as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Samariscus

More from the family Samaridae

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