Syacium papillosum (Linnaeus, 1758)
Dusky flounder
photo by NOAA\NMFS\Mississippi Laboratory

Family:  Cyclopsettidae (Sand whiffs)
Max. size:  30 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 10 - 140 m
Distribution:  Western Atlantic: North Carolina, USA and northern Gulf of Mexico to Brazil. Eastern Atlantic: Ascension Island (Ref. 26340).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 79-94; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 63-75. In males, the 1st and 2nd rays of the pectoral fin become filamentous (Ref. 35237).
Biology:  Predator which lives on the bottom where it hides partially or almost completely in the sand in order to disguise itself in the environment. Feeds on small fish and invertebrates. Exhibits sexual dimorphism (Ref. 35237). Marketed fresh (Ref. 5217).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 29 January 2013 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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