Pacific sanddab

Pacific sanddab
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Order:	Pleuronectiformes
Family:	Paralichthyidae
Genus:	Citharichthys
Species:	C. sordidus
Binomial name
Citharichthys sordidus (Girard, 1854)

The Pacific sanddab is a species of sanddab (Citharichthys sordidus). It is by far the most common sanddab, and it shares its habitat with the longfin sanddab (Citharichthys xanthostigma) and the speckled sanddab (Citharichthys stigmaeus). It is a medium sized flatfish, a light brown color mottled brown or black, occasionally with white or orange spots.

The Pacific sanddab is endemic to the northern Pacific Ocean, from the Sea of Japan to the coast of California. They are most commonly found at a depth of 50–150 m, though the young inhabit shallower waters, occasionally moving into tide pools.

It is an opportunistic predator, feeding on a variety of crustaceans, as well as smaller fish, squid, and octopuses.

It is a popular game fish in California, and is regarded as a delicacy, though it is not as popular elsewhere.

References

• Froese, Rainer, and Daniel Pauly, eds. (2006). "Citharichthys sordidus" in FishBase. September 2006 version.