Tonguefish
Tonguefishes | |
---|---|
Northern tonguefish, Symphurus pusillus | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Actinopterygii |
Order: | Pleuronectiformes |
Suborder: | Soleoidei |
Family: | Cynoglossidae |
Subfamilies & Genera[1] | |
Subfamily Cynoglossinae Subfamily Symphurinae |
Tonguefishes are flatfishes in the family Cynoglossidae. They are distinguished by the presence of a long hook on the snout overhanging the mouth, and the absence of pectoral fins. Their eyes are both on the left side of their bodies, which also lack a pelvic fin.[2] This family has three genera with a total of more than 140 species. The largest reaches a length of 66 cm (26 in), though most species only reach half that size or less.[3][4][5]
They are found in tropical and subtropical oceans, mainly in shallow waters and estuaries, though a few species found in deep sea floors,[6] and a few in rivers.
Symphurus thermophilus lives congregating around "ponds" of sulphur at hydrothermal vents on the seafloor. No other flatfish is known from hydrothermal vents.[7] Scientists are unsure of the mechanism that allows the fish to survive and even thrive in such a hostile environment.[8]
See also
References
- ↑ Froese, Rainer, and Daniel Pauly, eds. (2012). "Cynoglossidae" in FishBase. October 2012 version.
- ↑ Chapleau, Francois; Amaoka, Kunio (1998). Paxton, J. R.; Eschmeyer, W. N., eds. Encyclopedia of Fishes. San Diego: Academic Press. p. 225. ISBN 0-12-547665-5.
- ↑ Froese, Rainer, and Daniel Pauly, eds. (2014). Species of Cynoglossus in FishBase. May 2014 version.
- ↑ Froese, Rainer, and Daniel Pauly, eds. (2014). Species of Paraplagusia in FishBase. May 2014 version.
- ↑ Froese, Rainer, and Daniel Pauly, eds. (2014). Species of Symphurus in FishBase. May 2014 version.
- ↑ "Taxonomic status of three nominal species of Indo-Pacific symphurine tonguefishes ( Symphurus : Cynoglossidae: Pleuronectiformes)". ResearchGate. doi:10.1007/BF02678697. Retrieved 2015-11-01. line feed character in
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at position 84 (help) - ↑ Munroe, Thomas A.; Hashimoto, Jun (1 August 2008). "A new Western Pacific Tonguefish (Pleuronectiformes: Cynoglossidae): The first Pleuronectiform discovered at active Hydrothermal Vents" (PDF). Zootaxa 1839: 43–59.
- ↑ Amos, Jonathan (14 December 2006). "Fish dance on sulphur cauldrons". BBC News. Retrieved 25 May 2010.