Spotbelly tonguefish
📖 Overview
Spotbelly tonguefish (Symphurus monostigmus), first described by Munroe, 2006 is a small fish in the family Cynoglossidae (order Pleuronectiformes). Adults typically reach 5.50 cm in maximum length. It inhabits marine coastal and open-ocean environments. Recorded depth range: 65 to 110 metres. It occurs in Temperate waters. It is broadly omnivorous, taking invertebrates, plant matter, and detritus. On the IUCN Red List, it is classified as Data Deficient.
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal soft rays (total): 86; Anal soft rays: 73 - 74; Vertebrae: 48. This species is distinguished by having an irregular, conspicuous, dark spot overlying the anteroventral ocular-side body cavity; a 1-2-2-2-2 ID pattern; caudal-fin rays 14; D 86; A 73-74; vertebrae, abdominal 9 (3 + 6), total 48; hypurals 5; longitudinal scale rows 92; transverse scale rows 36-38; scale rows on the head posterior to lower orbit 18-19; body deep (BD = 28.8-32.4% of HL); preanal length short (PAL = 21.3-25.5% of SL); upper head lobe much wider than lower lobe; head moderately short (HL = 18.0-20.2% of SL), with head length much shorter than head width (HW/HL = 1.38-1.42); postorbital length long (POL = 75.8-79.4% of HL); snout short (SNL = 13.6-14.8% of HL; SNL/ED = 1.08-1.25), rounded to obliquely blunt anteriorly; dorsal-fin origin at vertical at anterior margin of upper eye; predorsal length short (PDL= 16.4-19.3% of HL); eyes equal in position (anterior margin of upper eye equal with anterior margin of lower eye), or slightly subequal (with anterior margin of upper eye anterior to that of lower eye); no fleshy ridge on ocular-side lower jaw. Colouration: ocular-side pigmentation yellowish-white with numerous freckles along bases of dorsal- and anal-fin rays; blind-side pigmentation uniformly white; peritoneum bluish-black .: short and / or deep; Cross section: flattened.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Spotbelly tonguefish is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; demersal; depth range 65 - 110 m . Temperate South Africa.
🌿 Ecology
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🔍 Similar Species
👥 Community & Contribute
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