Crested flounder

The crested flounder, Lophonectes gallus, is a Lefteye flounder of the genus Lophonectes, found around south eastern Australia, and New Zealand, in shallow enclosed waters such as estuaries, harbors, mudflats, and sandflats, in waters less than 787.4 ft (240 m) in depth. Their length is from 3.94 to 7.87 in (10 to 20 cm).

The crested flounder is a Lefteye flounder meaning it has both eyes on the left side of the head and lies on its right side. It has the typical flattened oval shape of the flounder with the dorsal and anal fins forming a fringe around most of the body. The anterior dorsal fin rays are greatly elongated, especially in the male. They swim by means of slight undulations of their fins and the outer edges of the body, keeping in contact with the bottom and seeming to “slide”.

The coloring is grey on the back with many small dark spots.

The crested flounder eats worms, small crustaceans, and organic matter found in sand and mud. Like the Witch it is not a popular food fish.

Illustration by Dr Tony Ayling