Wide Eyed Flounder

The scales on the eyed side are ctenoid and cycloid on the blind side. The inter-orbital width is much wider in males. The upper pectoral fin rays are not prolonged. The subspecies in the Mediterranean and African coast, P. podas has 75-86 lateral line scales, with 13-20 scales making up the curved portion. Its eyed side has alight brown color, bearing darker spots. The subspecies in Madeira and the Canaries, B. p. maderensis, has 88-91 lateral line scales, with 20-21 on the lateral line curve. Its eyed side appears dark brown to dark violet and seldom spotted.

Dorsal soft rays (total): 85 - 95; Analsoft rays: 63 - 73

Found in shallow waters, over sandy and muddy bottoms of the continental plateau (Ref. 5377, 12382). Feeds on benthic small fishes and invertebrates. Reproduction occurs between May and August. Small individuals adapt well in aquariums but require sufficient bottom areas (Ref. 12382).

fisheries: commercial; aquarium: commercial

Bothus podas, also known as the wide-eyed flounder, is a flounder in the genus Bothus, native to the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Coast of Africa.

During the reproductive season, males court and mate successively with females in their territories, and females seem to show mating fidelity to their dominant male. Data also show that courtship plays an important role in determining male success in mating.