Spiny turbot

Psettodes erumei

The Hartstrahlenflundern ( Psettodes ) are a genus of flatfish ( Pleuronectiformes ). They are considered the most primitive flatfishes, are isolated in the family Psettodidae, and are the sister group of all other flatfish. The predatory fish are still swimming often in the upright position.

Features

The Hartstrahlenflundern stand out for their great strong bezahntes mouth. And the tongue is covered with small teeth. The eyes are equally often on the left or the right side of the body. The traveling from the bottom to the top of the eye is located close to the edge of the back between the top and bottom. The palatine is dentate. The fish do not have hard jets. The dorsal fin starts behind the eyes. The pelvic fins are almost symmetrical and are supported by a rigid beam and four soft rays. The caudal fin has 15 fin rays. The scales are round. There is a lateral line on both sides of the body. The fish are 55 to 80 inches long.

Species

• Psettodes belcheri, Bennett, 1831, Eastern Atlantic coast of West Africa
• Psettodes bennettii, Steindachner, 1870, Eastern Atlantic coast of West Africa
• Psettodes erumei, ( Bloch & Schneider, 1801), Red Sea, Western Indo-Pacific