Larval pelican flounder, Chascanopsetta sp.

Pelican Flounder larva, Chascanopsetta sp. Click to enlarge image
A larval pelican flounder (approx. 6 cm long) photographed at night at a depth of about 6 m, off Kona, Hawaii, October 2007. The bottom depth at the site was approximately 1600 m to 2300 m. Image: Matthew D'Avella
© Australian Museum

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Genus
    Chascanopsetta
    Family
    Bothidae

Matthew D'Avella photographed this beautiful larval fish while black water diving (blue water diving at night) off Kona, Hawaii.

Pelican Flounder swimming
A larval pelican flounder (approx. 6 cm long) photographed at night at a depth of about 6 m, off Kona, Hawaii, October 2007. The bottom depth at the site was approximately 1600 m to 2300 m. The white spot towards the right of the image is one of the eyes. An elongate dorsal fin ray projects forward from the head to the right of the image. Dr A. Fukui (School of Marine Science and Technology, Tokai University, Japan) identified the fish as a species of Chascanopsetta, one of the Pelican Flounders. It is one of the two species know from Hawaii, either C. crumeralis or C. prorigera. Image: Matthew D'Avella
© Australian Museum

Dr A. Fukui (School of Marine Science and Technology, Tokai University, Japan) identified the fish as a species of Chascanopsetta, one of the Pelican Flounders. It is one of the two species know from Hawaii, either C. crumeralis or C. prorigera.

One species of Chascanopsetta is recorded from Australian waters. The Pelican Flounder, C. lugubris, occurs from off the central coast of Western Australia, around the tropical north of the country and south to the central coast of New South Wales. It grows to about 38 cm in length.

References

  1. Hoese, D.F., Bray, D.J., Paxton, J.R. & G.R. Allen. 2006. Fishes. In Beesley, P.L. & A. Wells. (eds) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Volume 35. ABRS & CSIRO Publishing: Australia. parts 1-3, pages 1-2178.
  2. Gilbert, C. H. 1905. II. The deep-sea fishes of the Hawaiian Islands. In: The aquatic resources of the Hawaiian Islands. Bull. U. S. Fish Comm. v. 23 (pt 2) [for 1903]: 577-713, Pls. 66-101. (p. 689 for C. prorigera)
  3. Jordan, D. S. and B. W. Evermann 1905 The aquatic resources of the Hawaiian Islands. Part I.--The shore fishes of the Hawaiian Islands, with a general account of the fish fauna. Bull. U. S. Fish Comm. v. 23 (pt 1) [1903]: i-xxviii + 1-574, Pls. 1-65, color Pls. 1-73. (p. 511 for C. crumenalis)