Common names from other countries
Teleostei (teleosts) >
Pleuronectiformes (Flatfishes) >
Pleuronectidae (Righteye flounders) > Pleuronectinae
Etymology: Hippoglossoides: Greek, ippos = horse + Greek, glossa = tongue + Suffix oides = similar to (Ref. 45335).
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Marine; demersal; oceanodromous (Ref. 51243); depth range 10 - 3000 m (Ref. 58426), usually 90 - 250 m (Ref. 6263). Temperate; 80°N - 41°N, 72°W - 55°E
North Atlantic and Arctic Ocean. Two subspecies were recognized, H. p. platessoides from northwestern Atlantic, and H. p. limandoides from the northeastern Atlantic (Ref. 51668).
Length at first maturity / Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm 35.0 range ? - ? cm
Max length : 82.6 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 58426); max. published weight: 6.4 kg (Ref. 7251); max. reported age: 30 years (Ref. 6263)
Slender body and a large mouth. Dorsal fin starts above left eye. Lateral line almost straight. Rough scales (Ref. 35388).
Body shape (shape guide): short and / or deep.
Adults are most abundant from 90 m to 250 m deep and bottom temperatures of -0.5 to 2.5°C (Ref. 6263). Live on soft bottoms (Ref. 9988, 58426). Feed on invertebrates and small fishes. Batch spawner (Ref. 51486). Marketed fresh and frozen; eaten steamed, fried, microwaved and baked (Ref. 9988).
Cooper, J.A. and F. Chapleau, 1998. Monophyly and intrarelationships of the family Pleuronectidae (Pleuronectiformes), with a revised classification. Fish. Bull. 96(4):686-726. (Ref. 30193)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-2)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Fisheries: highly commercial; gamefish: yes
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