Scientific Name
Psettodes belcheri

Common Name
Spottail spiny turbot

Biology
Unlike other flatfish, this species has a broad body; width is half the length. This demersal fish is not always in close contact with the bottom, it can chase its prey by swimming. Feeds on fish and shrimps.

Classification

Classified By

Bennett, 1831

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Flatfishes (Pleuronectiformes)

Family

Psettodids (Psettodidae)

Distribution

Region

Eastern Atlantic

Distribution

Eastern Atlantic: Mauritania to about 14?S.

Range

23°N - 14°S

Environment

Climate

Tropical

Water Temperature From

Unknown °C

Water Temperature To

Unknown °C

Depth From - meters

Unknown m

Depth To - meters

150 m

Zone

demersal

Environment

Marine; brackish; demersal; depth range ? - 150 m

Trophic Level

4.07 s.e. 0.70 Based on food items.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

True

Occurs in Brackish water

True

Occurs in Fresh Water

False

Occurs on Reefs

False

Is kept in Aquariums

False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

80.0 cm

Common Length

45.0 cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.7500 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: commercial

Vulnerability

Moderate vulnerability (40 of 100)

Resilience

Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Assuming tm=3-4)

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Not Evaluated