Etropus microstomus

Etropus microstomus
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Order:	Pleuronectiformes
Family:	Paralichthyidae
Genus:	Etropus
Species:	E. microstomus
Binomial name
	Etropus microstomus; (Gill, 1864)
Synonyms
	Citharichthys microstomus Gill, 1864

Etropus microstomus, the smallmouth flounder, is a species of fish belonging to the family Paralichthyidae.

Appearance

The smallmouth flounder is a lefteyed flatfish, and is therefore very thin when lying on its side. Its mouth and eyes lie on the same side of its body, and are small compared to the rest of its head, and the lateral line has approximately 41 to 45 scales. The left pelvic fin lies below the lateral line, about one quarter down its body. The smallmouth flounder has 13 rakers on its first gill arch. It is usually colored olive brownish with a white blind side, and it can grow up to 5 inches long.

Occurrence

The species ranges from New York to Virginia, and has occasionally been seen farther south.

References

1. Smith, L. C. The Inland Fishes of New York State. New York: The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. 1985, pp. 454.

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