Leopard Flounder, Bothus pantherinus (Rüppell, 1830)

Introduction

The Leopard Flounder has a pattern resembling small flowers. The species occurs near coral reefs in of the Indo-West and Central Pacific.

Identification

The Leopard Flounder is brown with a pattern resembling small flowers made up of dark spots surrounded by pale spots. There are also numerous orange spots and usually a singe dark blotch on the straight portion of the lateral line.

Habitat

It is usually found in sand and silt areas associated with coral reefs.

Distribution

The Leopard Flounder is known from the Indo-West and Central Pacific.In Australia it is recorded from south-western Western Australia to north-western Western Australia and from the northern Great Barrier Reef, Queensland to the central coast of New South Wales.

The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums. Click on the map for detailed information. Source: Atlas of Living Australia.

References

1. Allen, G.R. 1997. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and South-east Asia. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 292.
2. Allen, G.R. & R. Swainston. 1988. The Marine Fishes of North-Western Australia. A Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 201.
3. Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. New Holland. Pp. 433.
4. Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & R.C. Steene. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford House Press. Pp. 557.