Pacific sanddab

Pacific sanddab
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Carangiformes
Family: Paralichthyidae
Genus: Citharichthys
Species:
C. sordidus
Binomial name
Citharichthys sordidus
(Girard, 1854)
Synonyms

Psettichthys sordidus Girard, 1854

The Pacific sanddab (Citharichthys sordidus), also known as the soft flounder, mottle sanddab, or megrim, is a fish species in the order Pleuronectiformes, or flatfish.[1] It is by far the most common sanddab, and it shares its habitat with the longfin sanddab (C. xanthostigma) and the speckled sanddab (C. stigmaeus). The adult Pacific sanddab is bilaterally asymmetrical and ‘left-eyed’, meaning both eyes are located on the left side of its body.[2]

It is a medium-sized flatfish, with a light brown color mottled brown or black on its eyed side, occasionally with white or orange spots.[3] On its blind side, it is a solid white or light brown. It has large eyes and scales, and a deep rounded body.[1]

  1. ^ a b Barss, William H. The Pacific Sanddab. Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, March 1976.
  2. ^ Moyle, Peter B. (2004). Fishes: An Introduction to Ichthyology (5th ed.). Pearson Prentice Hall.
  3. ^ Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.). "Citharichthys sordidus". FishBase. September 2006 version.