BOTHIDAE


Grammatobothus polyophthalmus, 7.5 cm SL
(photo by Ukkrit Satapoomin)


Grammatobothus polyophthalmus
(Bleeker, 1865)
Manyeyed Flounder

D 77-86; A 61-71; P1 14-17 (eyed side), 12-14 (eyeless side); P2 6; LL 75-77 (eyed side); GR 0-5 + 7-8; V 37-38.

Body ovoid, strongly compressed. Dorsal contour of head before upper eye deeply notched. Snout short, shorter than eye diameter. Mouth moderate, reaching to or slightly beyond anterior margin of lower eye; teeth on jaws small, uniserial in both jaws. Both eyes on left side of head; upper eye slightly behind lower eye; interorbital space narrow, concave. Gill rakers short. Second to 10th dorsal-fin rays elongate in both sexes; longer in males than females. Scales ctenoid on eyed side, cycloid on eyeless side; lateral line on both sides of body. Color: eyed side of body pale brown with 3 conspicuous dark ocellii, 1 on middle of straight part of lateral line and 1 each above and below pectoral fin; dorsal, anal and caudal fins with black blotches and spots; eyeless side of body whitish. Size: maximum length 21 cm. Distribution: Indo-Pacific, from Persian Gulf to New Caledonia, north to southern Japan, south to northern Australia. Remarks: inhabits sandy and muddy bottoms. Feeds on benthic animals. Marketed fresh.