Overview
Females grow larger, live longer, and are more numerous than males. Although is a member of the lefteye flounder family (Bothidae), it appears that nearly half of the population has both eyes on the right side of the body. The sighted side of the fish is usually brownish and the blind side white.
Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Actinopterygii
- Order
- Perciformes
- Family
- Paralichthyidae
- Genus
- Paralichthys
- Species
- californicus
Habitat
It is usually found on sandy bottoms in depths of 10 to 20 fathoms or less, though it may occasionally be found in depths up to 100 fathoms.
Diet
Anchovies, Small Fish, Crustaceans, Squid, Mollusks.
Behavior
Spawns in very deep water, Feeds on the bottom and sometimes in the middle of the water colum.
Fishing
Drift fishing with live anchovies, shrimp, or queenfish is the most successful sportfishing method, though slow trolling has also been known to be effective. This species is not overly finicky and will sometimes take almost any kind of bait or lure. The firm, white flesh is excellent eating.
Conservation Status
Listed as Least Concern by IUCN.