Zeugopterus punctatus
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Zeugopterus punctatus | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Carangiformes |
| Suborder: | Pleuronectoidei |
| Family: | Scophthalmidae |
| Genus: | Zeugopterus |
| Species: | Z. punctatus |
| Binomial name | |
| Zeugopterus punctatus (Bloch, 1787) | |
| Synonyms[2] | |
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Pleuronectes punctatus Bloch, 1787 | |
Zeugopterus punctatus, the common topknot, is a species of left eyed flatfish in the family Scophthalmidae, from the eastern Atlantic Ocean.
Zeugopterus punctatus is a small left-sided flatfish that is almost completely round in shape, with a broad body relative to its length. It is a mottled brown and white colour, a dark bar through the eyes,[3] light wide fins all the way round its body and a very small tail. Unlike most other flatfish, Zeugopterus punctatus does not seem to change colour for camouflage but relies on immobility to avoid detection. Zeugopterus punctatus grows to a maximum length of about 25 cm (10 in). It is sometimes confused with the lemon sole Microstomus kitti which can be found on rocky substrates too but has a noticeable pattern on its back, does not have such long fins and is a more pointed shape.[4] The eyed side is covered in small ctenoid scales while the blind side has cycloid scales, the many small ctenoid scales feel downy to the touch.[3]
