The Sand Sole – Pegusa lascaris is a species of flatfish found in the marine environments of the world. This species is known for its unique flattened body shape and cryptic coloration that allows it to blend seamlessly with the seabed.
Description & Characteristics
The Sand Sole – Pegusa lascaris can reach a maximum size of 40.0 cm. Its body is typically elongated and flattened, with a slightly asymmetrical shape. One side of the body is pigmented, while the other side is white and lacks pigmentation. This coloration helps the Sand Sole – Pegusa lascaris to camouflage itself effectively on the seabed.
Habitat and Occurrence
The Sand Sole – Pegusa lascaris is a demersal fish, meaning it lives on the seabed. It can be found at depths ranging from 5.0 to 350.0 meters, making it a common inhabitant of both shallow coastal waters and deeper marine environments. The Sand Sole – Pegusa lascaris is typically found in areas with sandy or muddy substrates.
Taxonomy
The species Pegusa lascaris belongs to the Class: Teleostei, Order: Pleuronectiformes, and Family: Soleidae. This classification places the Sand Sole – Pegusa lascaris within a group of fish known for their flattened bodies and bottom-dwelling lifestyles.
Feeding
The Sand Sole – Pegusa lascaris is a carnivorous fish that primarily feeds on a variety of benthic organisms, including amphipods, clams, crustaceans, decapods, fish larvae, invertebrates, krill, mysis, rock shrimps, schrimps, snails, worms, zoobenthos, and zooplankton. Its diet reflects its adaptation to a bottom-dwelling lifestyle, where it can easily access these food sources on the seabed.
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