Cynoglossus itinus (Snyder, 1909)
Speckled tongue sole
photo by Winterbottom, R.

Family:  Cynoglossidae (Tonguefishes), subfamily: Cynoglossinae
Max. size:  14 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; marine
Distribution:  Northwest Pacific: Japan to the South China Sea.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal soft rays (total): 100-105; Anal soft rays: 79-87; Vertebrae: 50-52. Description: Characterized by tan body color with elongate brown dashes, concentrated on head and along dorsal and ventral margins of body; caudal rays 8; midlateral line scales 71-78; eyed side with three lateral lines, 12-14 scale rows separating middle and upper lateral lines; head length 19.4-21.6% SL; eye diameter 10.8-15.4% head length; interorbital space 2.1-7.1% head length; tubular anterior nostril on ocular side, in front of eye; absence of posterior nostril on eyed side; rounded snout, 25-30.4% in head length; short rostral hook, not extending to vertical through front of anterior nostril; maxillary extending to below posterior half of lower eye; ctenoid scales on eyed side, cycloid to weakly ctenoid on blind side; blind side without lateral line; depth of body 25.4-28.6% SL (Ref. 90102).
Biology:  Inhabits sand and silt bottoms of coastal seas, rarely seen near reefs (Ref. 90102).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 09 September 2020 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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