Cape Scaldfish
Arnoglossus capensis
Leopard flounder
Bothus pantherinus
About
The leopard flounder is a master of disguise, a flatfish that spends its life lying on the seabed, using pattern and colour to vanish from sight. It grows to about 39 cm, though most seen on reefs are closer to 20 cm.
Also known as: bothus pantherinus, flounder, panther flounder, sandy flounder, sand flounder
- Length
- 20 cm · max 39 cm
- Depth
- up to 150 m
How to tell it apart
Many small flatfish resting on sand share this spotted, mottled look. The leopard flounder's giveaway is a single, extra-dark blotch sitting midway along its lateral line, the faint sensory stripe running down its side - look for that one bold spot standing out among the smaller markings.
Appearance
The leopard flounder is a flat, oval fish that lies on its side, with both eyes on top of its body. Its upper side is mottled grey-brown, covered in dark spots, blotches, and rings, with narrow dark crossbars on the pectoral fin. Males have one pectoral fin much longer than the other, which they raise during courtship and territorial displays.
Habitat
This species is widespread across the Indo-Pacific, from the Red Sea and East Africa to Japan and southeast Australia. It is a bottom-dweller found on sandy, silty, or muddy patches of inner reef flats, lagoons, bays, and sheltered reefs, often partly buried in the sand, from just a few metres deep down to 150 metres.
Is it dangerous?
harmless
Did you know?
Away from the sea floor, this flounder can turn almost see-through, fading from its spotted camouflage into a transparent form that makes it harder for predators to spot while it swims near the surface.
Log it in Into the Blue
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