Bothus ocellatus (Agassiz, 1831)
Eyed flounder
Bothus ocellatus
photo by Patzner, R.

Family:  Bothidae (Lefteye flounders)
Max. size:  18 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 1 - 110 m
Distribution:  Western Atlantic: Canada (Ref. 5951) to New York (USA), Bermuda, and northern Gulf of Mexico to southern Brazil.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 76-91; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 58-69. Light tan to light gray with irregular pale rings or rosettes, some of which are dark-edged; scattered small dark spots and three large blackish spots along straight portion of lateral line, the middle one the best defined (Ref. 13442).
Biology:  Inhabits sandy areas with coral rubble or seagrasses, usually near patch reefs (Ref. 9710). Shallow coastal waters to depths of 110 m (Ref. 26938). Lies motionless on the bottom, moving only when frightened (Ref. 9710). Larvae are attracted to lights at night but are difficult to see because they are transparent (Ref. 26938). About one-third of the diet consists of fishes; the rest of its food is crustaceans: crabs, shrimps, amphipods, and mantis shrimps (Ref. 13442).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 22 August 2012 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


Source and more info: www.fishbase.org. For personal, classroom, and other internal use only. Not for publication.