Tonguefish

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Tonguefishes
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Northern tonguefish, Symphurus pusillus
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Chordata
Class:
Actinopterygii
Order:
Pleuronectiformes
Suborder:
Soleoidei
Family:
Cynoglossidae
Subfamilies & Genera[1]

Subfamily Cynoglossinae

Cynoglossus
Paraplagusia

Subfamily Symphurinae

Symphurus

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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]

File:A preserved tongue sole at the lab.jpg
A preserved tongue sole at a lab

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

  1. ↑ Froese, Rainer, and Daniel Pauly, eds. (2012). "Cynoglossidae" in FishBase. October 2012 version.
  2. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  3. ↑ Froese, Rainer, and Daniel Pauly, eds. (2014). Species of Cynoglossus in FishBase. May 2014 version.
  4. ↑ Froese, Rainer, and Daniel Pauly, eds. (2014). Species of Paraplagusia in FishBase. May 2014 version.
  5. ↑ Froese, Rainer, and Daniel Pauly, eds. (2014). Species of Symphurus in FishBase. May 2014 version.
  6. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  7. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  8. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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