Speckled sanddab facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Speckled sanddab |
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The speckled sanddab (scientific name: Citharichthys stigmaeus) is a small, flat fish that lives in the ocean. It's a type of flounder, which means it has a flat body and usually lives on the seafloor. This fish is found along the eastern coast of the Pacific Ocean, from Alaska all the way down to Mexico.
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About the Speckled Sanddab
What it Looks Like
The speckled sanddab is a small fish. It usually grows to about 17 centimeters (about 6.7 inches) long. This makes it much smaller than its cousin, the Pacific sanddab.
This fish has a dull brown or tan color on its top side. Its underside is white or a pale brown. Male speckled sanddabs often have orange spots that make them look mottled.
Where it Lives
You can find speckled sanddabs on the sandy bottom of the ocean. They live near the shore but can also be found in deeper waters. Some have been seen as far down as 350 meters (about 1,150 feet) deep.
What it Eats
Speckled sanddabs enjoy eating small crustaceans. These are tiny creatures with hard shells, like small crabs or shrimp.
Staying Safe
Many other animals like to eat speckled sanddabs. Their predators include bigger fish, birds, and marine mammals. To stay safe, the speckled sanddab is very good at hiding. It can change its color to match the sand or surface it is resting on. This helps it blend in and avoid being seen by predators.
Why it's Important
Even though the speckled sanddab is a type of game fish, people don't usually fish for it. This is because it's so small. The larger Pacific sanddab is much easier to catch for food.
Speckled sanddabs have many babies. This, along with not being fished much, means there are lots of them. They are very common along the entire coast of North America.
Learn More
- Froese, Rainer and Pauly, Daniel, eds. (2006). "Citharichthys stigmaeus" in FishBase. October 2006 version.
See also
In Spanish: Citharichthys stigmaeus para niños
