The Largescale Flounder, Mottled Wide-eyed Flounder, Spiny-head Flounder, Spiny-headed Flounder, Spotted-tail Flounder, Spot-tail Wide-eye – Engyprosopon grandisquama is a species of flatfish found in the western Atlantic Ocean. It is a relatively small fish, with a maximum size of 15.0 cm. Engyprosopon grandisquama is known for its distinctive mottled coloration and its large, prominent eyes. It is a relatively common species, occurring in a variety of habitats, and plays an important role in the marine ecosystem.
Description & Characteristics
Engyprosopon grandisquama is a relatively small flatfish with a maximum size of 15.0 cm. Its body is flattened and oval in shape, with a distinctive mottled coloration. It has a large, prominent eye on the right side of its head, which is the side that faces upwards. This species is characterized by its spiny head and its spotted tail, giving rise to its various common names. The body of Engyprosopon grandisquama is covered in small scales.
Habitat and Occurrence
The Largescale Flounder, Mottled Wide-eyed Flounder, Spiny-head Flounder, Spiny-headed Flounder, Spotted-tail Flounder, Spot-tail Wide-eye – Engyprosopon grandisquama is a demersal fish, meaning it lives on or near the bottom of the ocean. It is found in a variety of habitats, including sand, mud, and gravel bottoms. Its depth range spans from 7.0 to 200.0 meters, which places it in the epipelagic and mesopelagic zones. Engyprosopon grandisquama is typically found in the western Atlantic Ocean, where it is a common sight in the marine environment.
Taxonomy
The species Engyprosopon grandisquama belongs to the Class: Teleostei, Order: Pleuronectiformes, and Family: Bothidae. The Teleostei is a large and diverse group of ray-finned fishes. The order Pleuronectiformes includes all the flatfishes, which are characterized by their flattened bodies and the migration of one eye to the other side of the head during development. The family Bothidae is a family of flatfishes that are characterized by their symmetrical bodies and their small, smooth scales.
Feeding
Engyprosopon grandisquama is a carnivorous fish that primarily feeds on a variety of invertebrates and small fish. Their diet consists of crustaceans, including krill, mysids, and shrimps, as well as other invertebrates like worms. They are also known to consume small fish, insects, and other marine life. Their feeding behavior is opportunistic, and they will readily consume any suitable prey they encounter.
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