Peppered flounder | |
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Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Actinopterygii |
Order: | Pleuronectiformes |
Family: | Pleuronectidae |
Genus: |
Paralichthodes Gilchrist, 1902 |
Species: | P. algoensis |
Binomial name | |
Paralichthodes algoensis Gilchrist, 1902 |
The peppered flounder (Paralichthodes algoensis) is a flatfish of the Pleuronectidae family and the only species of the genus Paralichthodes. It is a demersal fish that lives on sandy and muddy bottoms in subtropical waters, at depths of up to 100 metres (330 ft). Its native habitat is the southeastern Atlantic and the western Indian Ocean, specifically the African coastline from Mossel Bay, South Africa, to Delagoa Bay, Mozambique. It grows up to 50 centimetres (20 in) in length.
The peppered flounder is a right-eyed flounder with an elongated, oval body. Its upper surface is brownish grey with small dark spots and its underside is white. The lateral line is equally developed on both sides. It has a relatively large, symmetrical mouth.