Largescale Flounder

The Largescale Flounder, scientifically known as Engyprosopon grandisquama, is a tropical marine fish found in reef-associated environments. It inhabits depths ranging from 7 to 200 meters (23 to 656 feet) and is commonly found in sandy and muddy areas of the continental shelf. Typically reaching a maximum length of 15 centimeters (approximately 6 inches), it is more commonly observed at a length of around 10 centimeters (about 4 inches).

This species primarily feeds on crustaceans, polychaetes, and other bottom-dwelling animals. It is occasionally found in local markets, both fresh and sometimes dried.

The Largescale Flounder has a distinctly oval body shape. Its fins have unique features; notably, the caudal fin bears a pair of black blotches between the third and fourth rays from the top and bottom edges. The fish lacks elongated pectoral fins on the side with eyes, and there are no noticeable differences between males and females in this regard. Its gill rakers are very short and smooth.

In terms of fin counts and other physical characteristics, the flounder has 81 to 87 dorsal soft rays, 61 to 65 anal soft rays, and a vertebrae count of 24. Other details include 10-12 pectoral fin rays on the ocular side and 8-10 on the blind side, 3 + 11 + 3 caudal fin rays, 6 pelvic fin rays on each side, 40 to 45 lateral line scales, and 5-7 gill rakers.

The Largescale Flounder is distributed across the Indo-Pacific region, stretching from East Africa throughout the 🌊 Indian Ocean, reaching the Indo-🇦🇺 Australian Archipelago and 🇳🇨 New Caledonia (🇫🇷 Overseas France), and extending northwards to southern 🇯🇵 Japan.

The genus name Engyprosopon derives from Greek words meaning "nearly a face," reflective of some characteristic feature of this fish.