Genus: Chascanopsetta, Flounder, Pelican Flounder

CHASCANOPSETTA

FLOUNDER

Body slender (<40% SL), tapering; eyes on left side of head; eyes close-set, separated by < eye diameter; lower eye not before top eye; mouth very large, top jaw reaching to at least rear edge of eye; teeth small, on both sides of both jaws; dorsal fin origin well before top eye; pectoral rays not branched; eye side pectoral larger than blind side fin; eye-side pelvic fin with origin under lower eye, with much longer base, situated on body midline, its origin before that of blind-side fin; lateral line on eye side only, with distinct arch over eye side pectoral fin, no branch under lower eye; scales small, smooth on both sides.

A tropical, deepwater genus with 7 species, found in all three oceans; two species in our area.