Animal Species:Largetooth Flounder, Pseudorhombus arsius (Hamilton-Buchanan, 1822)

The Largetooth Flounder has an impressive set of teeth in the front of its jaws, and anglers should be wary when removing hooks from the mouth this species.

Head of a Largetooth Flounder

Head of a Largetooth Flounder
Richard Vevers © Richard Vevers

Alternative Name/s

Large-tooth Flounder, Large-toothed Flounder

Identification

The species varies in colour, closely matching the substrate it is resting on. It is best separated from other members of its genus by the presence of two dark spots placed centrally on its dorsal surface. The first is located just behind the pectoral fin, the second is halfway between the first spot and the tail fin.

Size range

The Largetooth Flounder grows to a length of over 30 cm.

Distribution

The species occurs throughout the Indo-west Pacific region. In Australia is is found in the coastal waters of all states, with the exceptions of Victoria and Tasmania.

The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums. Click on the map for detailed information.  Source: Atlas of Living Australia.

Pseudorhombus arsius

Distribution by collection data

Ozcam map of Largetooth Flounder specimens in the Australian Museum.

What does this mean?

Habitat

Sand or mud bottoms, occasionally in estuaries. Recorded to a depth of 100 m.

Classification

Species:
arsius
Genus:
Pseudorhombus
Family:
Paralichthyidae
Order:
Pleuronectiformes
Class:
Actinopterygii
Subphylum:
Vertebrata
Phylum:
Chordata
Kingdom:
Animalia

What does this mean?

References

  1. Allen, G.R. 1997. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and South-east Asia. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 292.
  2. Hoese, D.F., Bray, D.J., Paxton, J.R. & G.R. Allen. 2006. Fishes. In Beesley, P.L. & A. Wells. (eds) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Volume 35. ABRS & CSIRO Publishing: Australia. parts 1-3, pages 1-2178.
  3. Kuiter, R.H. 2000. Coastal Fishes of South-eastern Australia. Gary Allen. Pp. 437.


Mark McGrouther , Collection Manager, Ichthyology
Sascha Schulz
Last Updated:

Tags fish, ichthyology, Largetooth Flounder, Pseudorhombus arsius, Paralichthyidae, Pleuronectiformes, fishes, brown, grey, flatfish, 30 cm - 1 m, countershaded, soft substrate, marine, adult, strange eyes,