PORT PHILLIP BAY


Greenback Flounder 

Rhombosolea tapirina Günther, 1862

View scientific description and taxonomy

Scientific Details

Meristics.
Dorsal fin spines/rays: 56-69
Anal fin spines/rays: 40-50
Caudal fin rays: 14-17
Pectoral fin rays: 10-13
Ventral fin spines/rays: 6
Lateral line: 72-83

Interpreting fin count meristics.
Spines are in Roman numerals and soft rays are in Arabic numerals. Spines and rays that are continuous in one fin are separated by a comma. Fin sections are separated by semicolons.

Detailed descriptions of fin count and other meristics are in:
Gomon. M.F., Bray, D.J. & Kuiter, R.H. (eds) (2008) Fishes of Australia's Southern Coast. Sydney : Reed New Holland 928 pp.

Order level detail.
Adults with deep, highly compressed bodies and both eyes on the same side of the head. The long-based dorsal and anal fins are usually separate from the caudal fin. Some lack pectoral fins and have a single pelvic fin. Some groups have eyes on the right sides, whereas others have eyes on the left side, and others have eyes on either the right or the left side.

Taxonomy

Phylum:
Chordata
Subphylum:
Craniata
Superclass:
Gnathostomata
Class:
Actinopterygii
Order:
Pleuronectiformes
Family:
Rhombosoleidae
Genus:
Rhombosolea
Species:
tapirina

General Description

Body extremely flattened with both eyes on the right side of the head, dorsal fin originating just behind snout tip and a single pelvic fin connected to the anal fin. Eyed side dark green or brown with darker blotches. To 45 cm.

Biology

A common and highly regarded food fish. They are well-camouflaged on soft bottoms, and can rapidly change colour pattern to match their surroundings.

Habitat

Broken shelly and sandy bottoms in bays, estuaries and along the coast, in depths of 1-100 m.

Soft substrates

Distribution guide

New Zealand and southern Australia.

Species Group

Fishes › Flatfishes and flounders

Depth

Shallow (1-30 m)
Deep ( > 30 m)

Water Column

On or near sea floor

Max Size

45 cm

Diet

Carnivore

Commercial Species

Yes

Global Dispersal

Recorded in Australia

Conservation Status

  • DSE Advisory List : Not listed
  • EPBC Act 1999 : Not listed
  • IUCN Red List : Not listed

Author

article author Bray, D.J.

Di Bray is a Senior Collection Manager of ichthyology at Museum Victoria.

Author

article author Gomon, M.F.

Dr. Martin Gomon is a Senior Curator of ichthyology at Museum Victoria.

citation

Cite this page as:
Bray, D.J. & Gomon, M.F., 2011, Greenback Flounder, Rhombosolea tapirina, in Taxonomic Toolkit for marine life of Port Phillip Bay, Museum Victoria, accessed 08 Sep 2024, http://136.154.202.208:8098/species/6487

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