Bothus lunatus (Linnaeus, 1758)
Plate fish
photo by Patzner, R.

Family:  Bothidae (Lefteye flounders)
Max. size:  46 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 0 - 100 m
Distribution:  Western Atlantic: Florida (USA), Bermuda, and the Bahamas to Brazil. Absent in Gulf of Mexico (Ref. 26938). Eastern Atlantic: Ascension Island and the Gulf of Guinea (Ref. 5979).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal soft rays (total): 92-99; Anal soft rays: 71-76. Gray to brown with numerous circles, curved spots, and dots of light blue on head and body; fins with small light blue spots; two or three large diffuse blackish spots on straight portion of lateral line (Ref. 13442).
Biology:  Inhabits clear sandy areas near mangroves, among seagrass, coral or rubble (Ref.9710). Most common flounder around coral reefs (Ref. 26938). Often partially buried in sand, occasionally on hard bottoms (Ref. 9710). Feeds mainly on small fishes but also on crustaceans and octopuses. Marketed fresh (Ref. 5217).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 21 August 2012 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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