Zeugopterus
Zeugopterus is a genus of flatfish in the family Pleuronectidae. They are commonly known as topknots or topknot flounders. These fishes are found in the northeastern Atlantic Ocean, from Norway to Morocco, including the Mediterranean Sea. They are demersal fishes, meaning they live on or near the bottom of the seafloor.
Characteristics
Zeugopterus species are distinguished by their relatively small size, typically reaching lengths of 15 to 30 centimeters. They have a compressed body shape and are characterized by a single, elongated dorsal fin that extends from the head to the tail. Their eyes are located on the right side of the body, giving them a characteristic "topknot" appearance. They are typically brown or grayish in color, with darker markings on their body.
Habitat
Zeugopterus species are typically found in shallow coastal waters, inhabiting sandy, muddy, or rocky bottoms. They are often found in areas with seaweed or seagrass, which provide shelter and food sources. They are typically found at depths of 10 to 100 meters, though they can occasionally be found at depths of up to 200 meters.
Species
The genus Zeugopterus contains several species, including:
- Zeugopterus punctatus (Bloch, 1787) - Common topknot
- Zeugopterus regius (Bonnaterre, 1788) - Royal topknot
- Zeugopterus norvegicus (Gunnerus, 1765) - Norwegian topknot
- Zeugopterus septentrionalis (Günther, 1862) - Northern topknot
- Zeugopterus variegatus (Rafinesque, 1810) - Variegated topknot
Diet
Zeugopterus species are primarily carnivorous, feeding on small invertebrates, crustaceans, and fish. They use their sensitive barbels, located near their mouths, to detect prey on the seabed.
Reproduction
Zeugopterus species are oviparous, meaning they lay eggs. Their eggs are typically deposited on the seabed, where they hatch into larvae. The larvae are planktonic, meaning they drift in the water column, feeding on plankton. After a period of growth, they settle on the seabed and transform into juveniles, resembling smaller versions of the adults.