Scientific Name
Symphurus pusillus

Common Name
Northern tonguefish

Biology
Inhabits bays and shallow coastal waters (Ref. 7251); with mud substrates. Sexual maturity occurs at approximately 4 cm SL (Ref. 26268).

Classification

Classified By

Goode & Bean, 1885

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Flatfishes (Pleuronectiformes)

Family

Tonguefishes (Cynoglossidae)

Distribution

Region

Northwest Atlantic

Distribution

Northwest Atlantic: New York (probably Massachusetts) to North Carolina in USA.

Range

41°N - 34°N

Environment

Climate

Temperate

Water Temperature From

Unknown °C

Water Temperature To

Unknown °C

Depth From - meters

102 m

Depth To - meters

233 m

Zone

demersal

Environment

Marine; demersal; depth range 102 - 233 m (Ref. 26268), usually 115 - 233 m (Ref. 26268)

Trophic Level

3.17 s.e. 0.38 Based on size and trophs of closest relatives

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

True

Occurs in Brackish water

False

Occurs in Fresh Water

False

Occurs on Reefs

False

Is kept in Aquariums

False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

7.5 cm

Common Length

Unknown cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.5000 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Unknown

Vulnerability

Low vulnerability (14 of 100)

Resilience

High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Not Evaluated