Laeops clarus Fowler, 1934
Clear fin-base flounder
Laeops clarus
photo by FAO

Family:  Bothidae (Lefteye flounders)
Max. size:  15.5 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  bathydemersal; marine; depth range 48 - 413 m
Distribution:  Western Pacific Ocean: Philippines, New Caledonia, and Taiwan.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal soft rays (total): 97-105; Anal soft rays: 80-86; Vertebrae: 49-51. This species is distinguished by the following characters: head length 5.3-6.7, body depth 3.2-3.8 in SL; upper profile without notch anterodorsal to upper margin of upper eye; snout round; length of pectoral fin of ocular side 9.5-13.1 in SL, about half of HL; upper jaw shorter than lower eye diameter; teeth 1-2 rows on lower jaw of the blind side; dorsal fin begin above nostrils of blind side, the first two rays of the dorsal fin detached from other rays of the fin; no rays prolonged; dorsal-fin pterigiophores longer than neural spines of first four caudal vertebrae; D 97-105, A 80-86, pectoral-fin rays ocular-side 14-15, blind-side 10-15, lateral line scales 88-105; gill rakers 0-2 + 6-8, vertebrae 11 + 38-40 (Ref. 126083).
Biology:  Known only from a depth of 296 m. Feeds on benthic animals.
IUCN Red List Status: Data deficient (DD); Date assessed: 02 March 2017 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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