Latin name

Pseudorhombus elevatus

Other name

Pseudorhombus elevatus

Identification

Deep flounder has 4-6 + 11-17 gill rakers and 10 + 24-25 vertebrae. The body is deeply ovoid in shape, 1.7-2 times thicker than the standard length. Head length is 3.1-3.5 times the standard length. The upper profile has a distinct notch in front of the upper eye. The line joining the base of the first dorsal fin ray and the posterior nostril on the eye side passes behind the posterior end of the maxilla or crosses its extreme posterior part. The snout is slightly forward, 0.9-1.2 times the diameter of the eye. The upper jaw is below or slightly behind the center of the lower eye. The upper jaw is 2.2-2.8 times the standard length. The teeth on both jaws are all flat. The gill rays are long, thin. Scales ctenoid on the ocular side, cycloid on the blind side. Lateral line curved above pectoral fins.

Features of fish fins

Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 67 - 74; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 52 - 66. 

Pectoral fins with 10-12 rays on the eye side and 10-11 rays on the blind side.

Fish colouring

The eye side of deep flounder with dark rings arranged in about 5 longitudinal rows. They have a dark spot at the junction of the straight and curved parts of the lateral line and 2 smaller spots on the lateral line at the rear of the body and at the anterior end of the caudal peduncle, small dark spots and elongated markings on the median fins. 

Distribution

Widespread in the Indian Ocean: throughout the region, including the Red Sea and Persian Gulf; south to Algoa Bay in South Africa. Western Pacific: from Taiwan south to New Guinea and extending to the northeast coast of Australia.

Habitat

Tropical marine demersal species, habitat depth range from 7 to 200 m. 

Size

The maximum length of males of this species is 37.5 cm and their total length is 15.0 cm. Maximum reported weight: 760.00 g.

Behavior

They inhabit clay, sandy and muddy bottoms of the continental shelf. 

Food and feeding habits

Deep flounders feed on bottom-dwelling animals. 

Reproduction

Different pairing.

Fishing

This species is commercially important for fishing. Fished by commercial shrimp trawlers in Australia.

Relationship with a person

Harmless. It is mostly sold fresh.