Guinean Tonguesole

Diagnosis: mostly cycloid scales on both sides of the body; 12-14 transversal scales between the mid-lateral line and the margino-dorsal lateral line (Ref. 81682).

Inhabits sandy and muddy bottoms (Ref. 2683). Feeds on mollusks.

Found on sand and mud bottoms of coastal waters (Ref. 2683). Feeds on mollusks. Sold as frozen filet under the name 'filets de sole' (Ref. 5377).

fisheries: commercial

Cynoglossus monodi Chabanaud

Cynoglossus monodi Chabanaud, 1949a:65 [type-locality: Dahomey and Sierra Leone, west Africa].—Cadenat, 1960:1383 [Lagos, Nigeria; Chorkor, Accra, Ghana].

DESCRIPTION.—Based on 7 specimens, 281.0–327.0 mm SL, including the holotype of C. monodi.

Depth of body 20.00–23.85 (M = 21.46) and length of head 19.65–22.0 (M = 20.16) percent of standard length. Diameter of eye 6.25–7.08 (M = 6.50), interorbital width rather broad, 5.65–8.00 (M = 6.88) percent of length of head. Anterior nostril of eyed side tubular, on upper lip in front of lower eye, posterior nostril simple, in anterior half of interorbital space. Snout narrowly rounded, 38.71–44.25 (M = 42.32) percent of length of head, rostral hook rather short, stopping just in front of vertical through front border of fixed eye. Maxillary extending to well beyond fixed eye; angle of mouth extending to right behind vertical from posterior margin of fixed eye, nearer to branchial opening than to tip of snout; snout to angle of mouth 52.42–58.04 (55.46), angle of mouth to branchial opening 38.52–46.77 (M = 44.05) percent of length of head.

Scales: Cycloid on both sides, except on last quarter of body on upper side, where they are ctenoid.

Lateral-Line System: Two lateral lines on ocular side, midlateral line with 85–96 scales, 12–14 scales between middle and upper lateral lines. One lateral line on blind side.

Inter linear scale rows 12 13 14

Frequencies 1 2 3

Fins: Dorsal with 125–131 (M = 127) rays, anal with 99–105 (M = 101) rays, caudal 12 in 3 specimens radiographs).

Vertebrae: 57–60 comprising 9 abdominal and 48–51 caudal elements in 3 specimens (radiographs).

Coloration: Upper side is light brown and the lower rather whitish in preserved specimens.

Size: Largest specimen examined, USNM 193912. 352.0 (327 + 25) mm, is from Nigeria, off Lagos.

DISTRIBUTION.—West Africa: Dahomey, Sierra Lione, Nigeria, Accra, Ghana, and Lagos.

DIAGNOSIS AND