Bothus podas (Delaroche, 1809)
Wide-eyed flounder
Bothus podas
photo by Hernández-González, C.L.

Family:  Bothidae (Lefteye flounders)
Max. size:  45 cm TL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 700.0 g; max. reported age: 6 years
Environment:  demersal; marine; depth range 15 - 400 m
Distribution:  Eastern Atlantic: Mediterranean and the Adriatic Sea (Ref. 12382); Mauritania to Angola, including Madeira, Cape Verde and the Canary Islands (Ref. 5979).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal soft rays (total): 85-95; Anal soft rays: 63-73. The scales on the eyed side are ctenoid and cycloid on the blind side. The inter-orbital width is much wider in males. The upper pectoral fin rays are not prolonged. The subspecies in the Mediterranean and African coast, P. podas has 75-86 lateral line scales, with 13-20 scales making up the curved portion. Its eyed side has alight brown color, bearing darker spots. The subspecies in Madeira and the Canaries, B. p. maderensis, has 88-91 lateral line scales, with 20-21 on the lateral line curve. Its eyed side appears dark brown to dark violet and seldom spotted.
Biology:  Found in shallow waters, over sandy and muddy bottoms of the continental plateau (Ref. 5377, 12382). Feeds on benthic small fishes and invertebrates. Reproduction occurs between May and August. Small individuals adapt well in aquariums but require sufficient bottom areas (Ref. 12382).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 13 May 2013 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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