Scophthalmus rhombus, commonly known as the brill, is a flatfish species found in the northeastern Atlantic Ocean. It is a commercially important fish and is often caught for consumption.
Description & Characteristics
Scophthalmus rhombus is characterized by its flattened body, with both eyes located on the right side of its head. This is a typical feature of flatfish species. The brill can grow up to 75.0 cm in length. Its coloration is typically a sandy brown or grey, which helps it camouflage itself effectively on the seabed.
Habitat and Occurrence
Scophthalmus rhombus typically inhabits the northeastern Atlantic Ocean, ranging from Norway in the north to Morocco in the south. They prefer sandy or muddy bottoms and are commonly found in depths ranging from 5.0 to 50.0 meters. This makes them a prevalent presence in the neritic zone, the marine environment that extends from the coastline to the edge of the continental shelf.
Taxonomy
The species Scophthalmus rhombus belongs to the Class: Teleostei, Order: Pleuronectiformes, and Family: Scophthalmidae. Teleostei is a large and diverse group of ray-finned fishes, which constitute the majority of living fish species. Pleuronectiformes, commonly known as flatfishes, are a specialized group of teleosts that exhibit a unique adaptation of having both eyes on one side of their head. Scophthalmus rhombus, along with other similar species, belongs to the Scophthalmidae family, which is characterized by their deep, rounded bodies and large mouths.
Feeding
Scophthalmus rhombus is a carnivorous fish that feeds on a variety of prey, including crustaceans, mollusks, and other small fish. They use their sensory organs to detect prey buried in the sediment and use their powerful jaws to crush their food.
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