Derwent Flounder, Taratretis derwentensis Last 1978


Derwent Flounder, Taratretis derwentensis. Source: Rudie H. Kuiter / Aquatic Photographics. License: All rights reserved

Summary:
A small pale tan coloured flounder with many irregular fine brown dots and pale markings scattered on the body, dark blotches and orange and black markings on the fins, and a whitish underside. The Derwent Flounder lacks a hooked snout (rostral hook).

Cite this page as:
Bray, D.J. 2022, Taratretis derwentensis in Fishes of Australia, accessed 28 Mar 2024, https://fishesofaustralia.net.au/home/species/995

Derwent Flounder, Taratretis derwentensis Last 1978

More Info


Distribution

Bermagui, New South Wales, to west of Fowlers Bay, South Australia, and around Tasmania. Inhabits sandy areas in estuaries and coastal waters, although easily overlooked due to its small size and excellent camouflage.

Features

Dorsal fin 69-80; Anal fin 50-59; Caudal fin 15; Pectoral fin right 8-11, left 7-9; Pelvic fin 5-6; Lateral-line scales 75-83.
Body deep (42-52% SL), extremely compressed, of moderate length. Head moderately small (24-28% SL); eyes on right side of head, small (23-33% HL), separated by narrow space; mouth small (upper jaw length 25-27% HL), oblique, snout not noticeably extended, barely overlapping upper edge of lower lip at most; teeth small, single row on blind side of each jaw only.
Scales very small, rather firmly attached, ctenoid on both sides, covering all of head;  lateral line on both sides, nearly straight, terminating posteriorly on head.
Dorsal, anal and caudal fins separate; dorsal fin arising in front of lower edge of upper eye, without elongate anterior rays; caudal fin bluntly pointed. Right pectoral fin slightly longer than left, first ray of left fin without swollen tip. Pelvic fin on eyed side with elongate base, originating at anterior extent of chest, connected by membrane to base of anal fin; fin on blind side with short base

Feeding

Feeds mostly on crustaceans, particularly prawns.

Etymology

The species is named derwentensis for the type locality: Derwent River estuary off Nutgrove Beach, Tasmania.

Species Citation

Taratretis derwentensis Last 1978, Pap. Proc. Roy. Soc. Tas. 112: 23, fig.1. Type locality: Derwent River estuary off Nutgrove Beach, Tasmania, 42°55'S, 147°21'E, depth 3 m. 

Author

Bray, D.J. 2022

Resources

Atlas of Living Australia

Derwent Flounder, Taratretis derwentensis Last 1978

References


Gomon, M.F. 1994. Family Pleuronectidae. pp. 851-859, figs 753-760 in Gomon, M.F., Glover, C.J.M. & Kuiter, R.H. (eds). The Fishes of Australia's South Coast. Adelaide : State Printer 992 pp. 810 figs. 

Gomon, M.F. 2008. Family Rhombosoleidae. pp. 810-816 in Gomon, M.F., Bray, D.J. & Kuiter, R.H. (eds) Fishes of Australia's Southern Coast. Sydney : Reed New Holland 928 pp. 

Kuiter, R.H. 1993. Coastal Fishes of South-eastern Australia. Bathurst : Crawford House Press 437 pp. 

Last, P.R. 1978. A new genus and species of flounder (F. Pleuronectidae) with notes on other Tasmanian species. Papers and Proceedings of the Royal Society of Tasmania 112: 21-28 pl. 1 See ref online

Last, P.R., Scott, E.O.G. & Talbot, F.H. 1983. Fishes of Tasmania. Hobart : Tasmanian Fisheries Development Authority 563 pp. figs. 

Munroe, T.A. 2021. Taratretis derwentensis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2021: e.T158646489A158674037. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-2.RLTS.T158646489A158674037.en. Accessed on 21 December 2022.

Sakamoto, K. 1984. Interrelationships of the Family Pleuronectidae (Pisces: Pleuronectiformes). Memoirs of the Faculty of Fisheries, Hokkaido University 31(1,2): 95-215 figs 1-51

Quick Facts


CAAB Code:37461011

Conservation:IUCN Data Deficient

Depth:3-50 m

Habitat:Sandy areas

Max Size:12 cm TL

Native:Endemic

Species Image Gallery

Species Maps

CAAB distribution map