Symphurus plagusia (Bloch & Schneider, 1801)
Duskycheek tonguefish
Symphurus plagusia
photo by Sazima, I.

Family:  Cynoglossidae (Tonguefishes), subfamily: Symphurinae
Max. size:  25 cm TL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 51.3 g
Environment:  demersal; brackish; marine; depth range 0 - 75 m
Distribution:  Western Atlantic: Puerto Rico, Cuba and Hispaniola but unknown from the Bahamas. Continental margin of Central America (Belize, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama) to South America (Colombia, Guyana, suriname, Tobago and Brazil (Rio de Janeiro).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 89-99; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 75-84
Biology:  A shallow water species (1-51 m) (Ref. 26268), found over mud or sand bottoms (Ref. 5217) where it feeds on small benthic invertebrates likes annelids and crustaceans. Normally found along sand banks near the mouth of rivers (Ref. 35237).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 20 August 2012 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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