Citharichthys Temporal range: 20–0 Ma Late Miocene to Present |
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Pacific sanddab, Citharichthys sordidus | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Actinopterygii |
Order: | Pleuronectiformes |
Family: | Paralichthyidae |
Genus: |
Citharichthys Bleeker, 1862 |
Type species | |
Citharichthys cayennensis Bleeker, 1862 |
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Synonyms | |
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Citharichthys is a genus of flatfish in the large-tooth flounder family, Paralichthyidae. They have both eyes on the left sides of their heads. They are native to the oceans around the Americas, with a single species, C. stampflii off the West African coast. Most are found in relatively shallow depths, but the genus also includes species found in deep water (down to at least 2,000 m or 6,600 ft) and species that enter fresh water.
Various species of sanddab, whiff, and flounder are in this genus, though the most common species is the Pacific sanddab, Citharichthys sordidus. They are a dull light-brown, and are mottled with brown or black, sometimes with yellow or orange. The largest species reaches 41 cm (16 in) in length.
The currently recognized species in this genus are: