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Diadromous Least Concern 🍽️ Edible 🌡️ Tropical

Speckled tonguesole

Cynoglossus puncticeps Richardson, 1846
Max Length
35 cm
Max Weight
-
Lifespan
-
Trophic Level
3.5
Depth
1–140 m
Climate
Tropical
Resilience
High
Vulnerability
24.00/100
Typical Length
9 cm
Depth Zone
demersal

📖 Overview

Found on the continental shelf over sandy and muddy bottoms. Occurs in the lower courses of flowing rivers and in estuaries . Feeds mostly on benthic invertebrates. Sold fresh, frozen, or dried salted in markets .

Scientific Name
Cynoglossus puncticeps
Authority
Richardson, 1846
Habitat
Diadromous
Climate
Tropical
Body Shape
Elongated
IUCN Status
LC
Max Length
35 cm
Depth Range
1–140 m
Trophic Level
3.5
Resilience
High
Vulnerability
24.00/100
Salinity
30–40 ppt

🔬 Taxonomy

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 90 - 100; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 72 - 78; Vertebrae: 44 - 49. Ocular side yellow-brown. Dorsal and anal fins joined to caudal. Eyes both on the left side of the body, a narrow space separating them; asymmetrical mouth; rostral hook below mouth. Ocular side with 2 lateral lines. Only the left ventral fin present (Ref 28). With very irregular dark brown blotches, often forming irregular cross bands. Some rays of dorsal and anal fins dashed with dark brown. Scales ctenoid on both sides of body. Midlateral-line scales 78 to 99. Scale rows between lateral lines on eyed side 15 to 19 (Ref 9895).: elongated; Cross section: flattened.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Speckled tonguesole is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

aquatic invertebrates
small fish
algae
detritus

🥚 Reproduction

🐣 Oviparous 📦 Batch Spawner
Spawning Season
spring
Spawn Location
Substrate
Fertilization
External

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; freshwater; brackish; demersal; depth range 1 - 140 m . Tropical West Pacific: India eastward to the Malay Archipelago and the South China Sea, southward to the Philippines and northwest Australia; eastward to New Guinea (Ref.

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
🌊 Marine 💧 Freshwater 🌿 Brackish ⬇️ Benthic
Trophic Level
3.5±0.41

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.00468 × L3.13 (TL)
Max TL
35cm
Dorsal Rays
95
Anal Rays
75
Vertebrae
47

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Salinity Range
30–40ppt

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

IUCN Category
Least Concern
Assessment Date
2019

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Population Resilience
High
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
24.00/100
Low vulnerability
Trophic Level
3.5
Predator
Body Shape
Elongated
Climate Zone
Tropical
Described By
Richardson, 1846

🍽️ Edibility & Flavour

"Speckled tonguesole is an edible species."

✗ Not for Raw
✓ Fresh Indicators
  • 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
✗ Avoid If
  • Cloudy or sunken eyes
  • Strong fishy or ammonia odour
  • Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
  • Discoloured or dry flesh
Best Cooking Methods
Baking Grilling Pan-frying

⚡ Nutrition

Detailed nutritional data for Speckled tonguesole is currently being compiled from USDA FoodData Central.

🔬 Mercury Safety

Mercury data for Speckled tonguesole has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.

🌿 Sustainability

Best Choice
Healthy stocks, low impact
Good Alternative
Well-managed, minor concerns
Use Caution
Check sourcing and season
Avoid
Overfished or high impact
✓ Sustainable Choice

🔬 Full Nutritional Profile

Per 100g - Raw, per 100g - Source: USDA FoodData Central templates (generic fish average)

Proximate Composition
Energy125 kcal
Moisture75 %
Protein20 %
Total Fat4 %
Ash1.3 %
Fatty Acids (g)
Saturated Fat1 g
Monounsaturated Fat1.2 g
Polyunsaturated Fat1.5 g
Omega-3 Total1 g
EPA0.3 g
DHA0.5 g
Omega-6 Total0.3 g
Key Minerals & Vitamins
Calcium20 mg
Iron0.7 mg
Magnesium30 mg
Phosphorus220 mg
Potassium380 mg
Sodium55 mg
Zinc0.5 mg
Selenium32 µg
Vitamin B122 µg

📊 Population Dynamics

Year Region Index Notes
- - -

🌐 Names & Taxonomy

Scientific Synonyms

Scientific Name Author Year Status
Arelia brachyrhynchos Bleeker 1851 Synonym
Arelia javanica Bleeker 1851 Synonym
Cynoglossus aurolimbatus Richardson 1846 Synonym
Cynoglossus aurolineatus Richardson 1846 Synonym
Cynoglossus brachyrhynchus Bleeker 1851 Synonym
Cynoglossus brevis Günther 1862 Synonym
Cynoglossus nigrolabeculatus Richardson 1846 Synonym
Cynoglossus puncticeps immaculata Pellegrin & Chevey 1940 Synonym
Cynoglossus punticeps Richardson 1846 Synonym
Plagiusa aurolimbata Richardson 1846 Synonym
Plagiusa nigrolabeculata Richardson 1846 Synonym
Plagiusia aurolimbata Richardson 1846 Synonym
Plagusia aurolimbata Richardson 1846 Synonym
Plagusia brachyrhynchos Bleeker 1851 Synonym
Plagusia javanica Bleeker 1851 Synonym
Plagusia nigrolabeculata Richardson 1846 Synonym
Plagusia puncticeps Richardson 1846 Synonym
Plagusia punticeps Richardson 1846 Synonym

🗺️ Global Occurrence Map

Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 25 records indexed .

Occurrence density from GBIF View GBIF records ↗

👥 Community & Contribute

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