Symphurus pusillus
The northern tonguefish (Symphurus pusillus) is a species of fish belonging to the family Cynoglossidae.
| Symphurus pusillus | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Pleuronectiformes |
| Family: | Cynoglossidae |
| Genus: | Symphurus |
| Species: | S. pusillus |
| Binomial name | |
| Symphurus pusillus | |
Description
The body of the northern tonguefish has alternating narrow and broad bands spanning the length of it. It has 12 caudal fin rays. It has a slender body with a small, rounded, oblique mouth. Its eyes are small and very close together. It has scaled jaws and snout, and its scales are quite small. The dorsal fin begins immediately above the center of the species’ eyes. It is light brown in color, and has 6 to 7 cross bars on its body of a slightly darker hue.
Distribution and habitat
The northern tonguefish is found on muddy sea beds at moderate depths down to 233m 44 meters. It is found in the western North Atlantic from Cape Hatteras to the Gulf of Mexico.[1]
References
- Munroe, T. (2015). "Symphurus pusillus". The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2015: e.T16777363A16782038. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2015-4.RLTS.T16777363A16782038.en. Downloaded on 28 March 2018.
"Symphurus Pusillus." Smithsonian Bulletin 3.47 (98): 2910. Print.