Channel flounder
(Syacium micrurum)

Syacium micrurum, commonly known as the channel flounder, is a marine fish. Its body is oval-shaped and elongated and can attain lengths typically around 20 cm, to a maximum of about 30 cm. Their anal fin has 64-74 rays whereas their dorsal fin has 82-92 rays.

This species is left-eyed, meaning that both eyes are found on the left side of the fish. The channel flounder’s ocular side (side with both eyes) has multiple colours with various shades ranging from tan to brown. This makes it easy for them to camouflage on the ocean bottom. The blind side is white with smooth scales as compared to their ocular side where the scales are rough.

This species is sexually dimorphic, with females attaining larger sizes than males.

Syacium micrurum is widely distributed throughout the western Atlantic and Caribbean Sea where tropical waters are found. It can be found ranging from Florida throughout a large number of Caribbean countries and South America. Some countries include Bahamas, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago and Venezuela. It is also found along the coast of tropical Africa in the eastern Atlantic.