SOLEIDAE


Aesopia cornuta, 11.9 cm SL
(photo by Ukkrit Satapoomin)



Aesopia cornuta, 22.0 cm SL
(from Mie Pref., Japan; photo by Seishi Kimura)


Aesopia cornuta
Kaup, 1858
Unicorn Sole

D 69-79; A 57-68; P1 11-15 (both sides); P2 4; LL 93-105; V 46.

Body elongate, strongly compressed. Snout short. Mouth small, not hooked but slightly curved, reaching to center of lower eye. Both eyes on right side of head; interorbital space distinctly elevated without scales. Opercular membrane of both sides of body joined to upper rays of pectoral fin. Caudal fin completely connected with dorsal and anal fins, without notch; first dorsalfin ray enlarged and free; pectoral fins present on both sides of body. Scales cycloid or weakly ctenoid. Color: eyed side of body grayish or brownish with 15-16 dark vertical bars; caudal fin of eyed side blackish with pale spots; eyeless side of body whitish. Size: maximum length 25 cm SL. Distribution: Indo-West Pacific, from Red Sea and South Africa to Indonesia, north to central Japan, south to northern Australia. Remarks: inhabits sandy and muddy bottoms in coastal waters. Marketed fresh. (Seishi Kimura)