Species: Citharichthys arctifrons, Gulf Stream Flounder, Gulf Stream Whiff

Citharichthys arctifrons Goode, 1880

Gulf Stream Flounder, Gulf Stream Whiff

Body relatively elongate, oval, (depth 34-43% of SL); eyes on left side; between eyes narrow, that space completely filled by bony ridge; snout with stout horn-like bony protuberance; mouth relatively small (upper jaw <33% of head length), ends under lower eye; teeth ~equally developed on both sides of jaws, in 1 series of fixed teeth on each jaw, front teeth enlarged, no canines; gill rakers long and slender, 5 + 6-8; dorsal fin 74-83; anal fin 58-67; pectoral fins on both sides of body, with branched rays; pelvics symmetrically positioned on belly, base of eye-side fin on body midline, short bases; tail fin bluntly rounded; urinary papilla on blind side, immediately behind anus; lateral line well developed on both sides, from edge of opercle to tail base, eye-side line ~straight, no branch under lower eye; scales rough on eye side, 37-43 on lateral line.

Generally tan, without distinguishing marks; scale edges dark; blind side white.

Reaches 18 cm.

Lives on soft bottoms.

Depth range: 20-370 m.

Massachusetts through the Gulf of Mexico; primarily warm temperate, so uncommon in the Gulf of Mexico.