Category: Flatfish

Longfin Sanddab

Lefteye Flounders: Family Bothidae Species: Citharichthys xanthostigma (Gilbert, 1890); from the Greek word citharichthys (a fish that lies on its ribs or side) and xanthostigma (yellow colored with a pointed bone—referring to the long fins). Alternate Names: Sanddab, soft flounder, Catalina sanddab. Called lenguado alón…

Pacific Sanddab

Lefteye Flounders: Family Bothidae Species: Citharichthys sordidus (Girard, 1854); from the Greek word citharichthys (a fish that lies on its ribs or side) and the Latin word sordidus (sordid or dull-colored). Listed as Orthopsetta sordida in Fish Bulletin #28. Alternate Names: Sanddab, soft flounder, sole,…

Speckled Sanddab

Lefteye Flounders: Family Bothidae Species: Citharichthys stigmaeus (Jordan & Gilbert); from the Greek word citharichthys (a fish that lies on its ribs or side) and the Latin word stigmaeus (speckled). Alternate Names: Sanddab, soft flounder and Catalina sanddab. Called lenguado pecoso in Mexico. Identification: Speckled…

Sand Sole

Righteye Flounders: Family Pleuronectidae Species: Psettichthys melanostictus (Girard, 1854); from the Greek words psetta (flounder), ichthys (fish), melas (black) and stictos (specks). Alternate Names: Halibut, sand flounder, spotted flounder, fringe sole or fringe flounder. Identification: Sand sole are in the right-eye flounder family. Most easily…

C-O Sole

Righteye Flounders: Family Pleuronectidae Species: Pleuronichthys coenosus (Girard 1854); from the Greek words pleuron (side) and ichthys (fish), and the Latin word coenosus (muddy). Alternate Names: Mottled turbot, C-O turbot, and popeye sole. Identification: An oval-shaped, right-eyed member of the flatfish family. C-O sole are…

Fantail Sole

Lefteye Flounders: Family Bothidae Species: Xystreurys liolepis (Jordan & Gilbert, 1880); from the Greek words Xystreurys (meaning raker and wide), and liolepis (smooth and scale). Alternate Names: Long fin sole, long finned flounder, fantail halibut, fantail flounder, true petrale. Identification: Oval-shaped with a highly arched…

California Halibut

Lefteye Flounders: Family Bothidae Species: Paralichthys californicus (Ayres, 1859); from the Greek word paralichthys (parallel fish) and californicus (Californian)—a California fish that lies parallel to the bottom. Halibut taken by KJ at the Balboa Pier Alternate Names: Halibut, flounder, hali, flattie (or flatty), chicken halibut,…

Starry Flounder

Righteye Flounders: Family Pleuronectidae Species: Platichthys stellatus (Pallas, 1787); from the Greek words platy (flat) and ichthys (fish) and the Latin word stellatus (starry). Alternate Names: Rough-jacket, great flounder, grindstone, emery flounder, emerywheel, leatherjacket, English sole, sand paper flounder, diamondback, long-jaw flounder, California flounder, swamp…

Diamond Turbot

Righteye Flounders: Family Pleuronectidae Species: Hypsopsetta guttulata (Girard 1856); from the Greek word hypsopsetta (deep flounder, referring to the oval shape) and the Latin word guttulata (with small spots). Alternate Names: Turbot or diamond flounder. Called platija diamante in Mexico. Identification: Diamond turbot are (surprise,…