Syacium micrurum Ranzani, 1842
Channel flounder
Syacium micrurum
photo by Freitas, R.

Family:  Cyclopsettidae (Sand whiffs)
Max. size:  40 cm TL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 500.0 g
Environment:  benthopelagic; marine; depth range - 412 m
Distribution:  Western Atlantic: Canada (Ref. 5951) to Florida, USA to São Paulo, Brazil. Records of Syacium micrurum from the eastern Atlantic refer to Syacium guineensis.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 83-92; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 64-74. In males, the 1st and 2nd rays of the pectoral fin become filamentous (Ref. 35237).
Biology:  Found on soft bottoms of the continental plateau (Ref. 5217, 5377). Feeds on worms and crustaceans. Exhibits sexual dimorphism (Ref. 35237).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 29 January 2013 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


Source and more info: www.fishbase.org. For personal, classroom, and other internal use only. Not for publication.