Scophthalmus maeoticus

Overview of Scophthalmus maeoticus:

```

Scophthalmus maeoticus

Scophthalmus maeoticus, also known as the Black Sea Turbot, is a species of flatfish in the family Scophthalmidae. It is native to the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov, where it is a commercially important species.

Description

The Black Sea Turbot is a large flatfish, with a maximum length of 70 cm. It has a diamond-shaped body, with a small head and a large mouth. The eyes are located on the right side of the body. The color of the body is dark brown to black, with lighter spots.

Habitat and Distribution

The Black Sea Turbot is native to the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov. It prefers sandy or muddy bottoms, at depths of 10 to 100 meters. It is a demersal species, meaning it lives and feeds on or near the bottom of the sea.

Diet

The diet of the Black Sea Turbot consists mainly of fish, but it also eats crustaceans and mollusks. It is a predatory species, with a strong preference for anchovy and sprat.

Reproduction

The Black Sea Turbot spawns from April to June. The eggs are pelagic, meaning they float in the water column. After hatching, the larvae are also pelagic until they reach a size of about 1 cm, when they settle on the bottom and start to metamorphose into the adult form.

Commercial Importance

The Black Sea Turbot is a commercially important species in the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov. It is caught mainly by trawling. The flesh is highly prized and is sold fresh, frozen, or smoked.

See Also

• Scophthalmus maximus
• Scophthalmus rhombus

External Links

• FishBase: Scophthalmus maeoticus

```

Please note that the external link provided is just an example and may not be the actual link to the FishBase page for Scophthalmus maeoticus.