Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Actinopterygii
- Order
- Perciformes
- Family
- Paralichthyidae
- Genus
- Pseudorhombus
- Species
- cinnamoneus
Habitat
This species inhabits shallow coastal waters and estuaries in the Western Pacific, including the South China Sea, with preferences for sandy or muddy substrates. It is commonly found at depths of 10 to 50 meters, often burying itself in sediment to avoid predators. Geographic preferences include regions around China, Japan, and the Philippines.
Diet
The Cinnamon flounder primarily feeds on small fish, crustaceans, and polychaete worms found on the seafloor. It employs an ambush strategy, lying in wait and quickly striking at prey. Feeding activity peaks at night or during low visibility conditions.
Behavior
Cinnamon flounders are solitary bottom-dwellers that bury themselves in sand during the day for camouflage and emerge at night to hunt. They exhibit strong territorial behavior when feeding and can change color slightly to match their surroundings. This species is generally inactive during daylight hours to avoid detection.
Fishing
Targeting the Cinnamon flounder, a bottom-dwelling flatfish found in shallow coastal waters and estuaries of the Western Pacific like the South China Sea, China, Japan, and the Philippines, requires patient bottom fishing techniques to mimic its ambush predator style; use a simple bottom rig with a light spinning rod (6-8 foot, medium-light action), a 2000-3000 series reel spooled with 10-15 lb test line, and a 1-2 ounce sinker to keep bait on sandy or muddy substrates at depths of 10-50 meters. Opt for natural baits like small live shrimp, worms, or crustaceans to entice strikes, as these match its diet of small fish and invertebrates, or try jigging with soft plastic lures that imitate prey for a more active approach. The best season is spring to summer when they're more active during spawning, with prime fishing times at night or during low-light conditions when they emerge to feed; focus on areas with soft bottoms near tidal flats or estuary mouths for the highest success. Record sizes include weights up to 1 pound 1 ounce and lengths of 20-40 cm, though IGFA records for this species are not well-documented. As a species not evaluated by the IUCN, anglers play a key role in conservation by practicing catch-and-release to support potential stocking programs and habitat protection, ensuring regulated fishing through local licenses helps fund waterway restoration in these regions, promoting healthy populations via effective management tools like size limits where applicable.
Conservation Status
Listed as Not Evaluated by IUCN.