Fourlined tonguesole
📖 Overview
Occurs in coastal areas and estuaries. May ascend upstream into the freshwater tidal zone of the Mekong . Inhabits muddy and sandy bottoms of continental shelves. Feeds mainly on benthic invertebrates . Utilized as a food fish . Marketed fresh in the Mekong delta .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 107 - 113; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 80 - 88. Eyed side brown with an irregular dark blotch on gill cover, blind side white. Blind side with 2 lateral lines (dorsal and medial). Body elongate, its depth 22 to 29% SL. Eyes with a small scaly interorbital space. Snout rounded. Rostral hook short. Corner of mouth reaching posteriorly beyond lower eye, nearer to gill opening than to tip of snout. Caudal-fin rays usually 12. Midlateral-line scales 88 to 96. Scales ctenoid on eyed side of body. Cycloid on blind side. Scale rows between lateral lines on eyed side of body 13 to 16 (Ref 9895).: elongated.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Fourlined tonguesole is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
Diet information for Fourlined tonguesole is currently being compiled.
🥚 Reproduction
Reproduction data for Fourlined tonguesole is currently being compiled.
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; brackish; demersal; depth range 10 - 400 m . Tropical; 26°C - 29°C ; 36°N - 28°S, 32°E - 157°E West Pacific: Red Sea, Persian Gulf, to India and Sri Lanka, Indonesia, north to Japan, and south to Australia and Papua New Guinea.
🌿 Ecology
benthic invertebrates (Ref
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Fourlined tonguesole is an edible species."
- Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
- Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
- Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
- Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
- Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
- Cloudy or sunken eyes
- Strong fishy or ammonia odour
- Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
- Discoloured or dry flesh
⚡ Nutrition
Per 100g cooked - Source: USDA FoodData Central
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Protein | 18.1 g |
| Omega-3 (total) | 161 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Fourlined tonguesole has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | fourlin tonguesole · fourlined tonguesole · ohshitabirame · twolin tonguesole · twolined tonguesole |
| 🇯🇵Japanese | オオウシノシタ · オオシタビラメ |
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Achirus bilineatus | Lacepède | 1802 | Synonym |
| Arelia bilineata | Lacepède | 1802 | Synonym |
| Arelia diplasios | Jordan & Evermann | 1902 | Synonym |
| Arelia quadrilineata | Bleeker | 1851 | Synonym |
| Cynoglossus bilinetaus | Lacepède | 1802 | Synonym |
| Cynoglossus diplasios | Jordan & Evermann | 1902 | Synonym |
| Cynoglossus quadrilineata | Bleeker | 1851 | Synonym |
| Cynoglossus quinquelineatus | Day | 1877 | Synonym |
| Cynoglossus sindensis | Day | 1877 | Synonym |
| Plagusia quadrilineata | Bleeker | 1851 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 5 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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