| Paralichthys adspersus | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Carangiformes |
| Suborder: | Pleuronectoidei |
| Family: | Paralichthyidae |
| Genus: | Paralichthys |
| Species: | P. adspersus |
| Binomial name | |
| Paralichthys adspersus (Steindachner, 1867) | |
| Synonyms | |
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Paralichthys adspersus, thefine flounder, is a species oflarge-tooth flounder native to the easternPacific Ocean, along thecontinental shelf from the coast ofEcuador in the north to the coast ofPeru in the south.
It is a medium-sized flatfish, growing up to 70 cm in length, with females typically being larger than males. It is agame fish, caught by an artisanalfishery off the Peruvian coast.
The species is apredator, feeding off smaller fishes in itshabitat.
Paralichthys adspersus was first collected byCharles Darwin in theGalapagos Islands and was described in 1842 asHippoglossus kingii, which would have placed it in theleft-eye flounder family. However, the description ofH. kingii has been determined to lack sufficient information to absolutely determine which species it describes and is thus considered ambiguous and therefore is not valid.
