''Symphurus'' is a

genus Genus ( plural genera ) is a taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms as well as viruses. In the hierarchy of biological classification, genus comes above species and below family. In binomial n ...

fish Fish are aquatic, craniate, gill-bearing animals that lack limbs with digits. Included in this definition are the living hagfish, lampreys, and cartilaginous and bony fish as well as various extinct related groups. Approximately 95% ...

in the

family Family (from la, familia) is a group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or affinity (by marriage or other relationship). The purpose of the family is to maintain the well-being of its members and of society. Idea ...

Cynoglossidae found in the

Atlantic The Atlantic Ocean is the second-largest of the world's five oceans, with an area of about . It covers approximately 20% of Earth's surface and about 29% of its water surface area. It is known to separate the "Old World" of Africa, Europe an ...

, Indian and

Pacific Ocean The Pacific Ocean is the largest and deepest of Earth's five oceanic divisions. It extends from the Arctic Ocean in the north to the Southern Ocean (or, depending on definition, to Antarctica) in the south, and is bounded by the contine ...

. Most

species In biology, a species is the basic unit of Taxonomy (biology), classification and a taxonomic rank of an organism, as well as a unit of biodiversity. A species is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of ...

mainly occur in relatively shallow water, including

estuaries An estuary is a partially enclosed coastal body of brackish water with one or more rivers or streams flowing into it, and with a free connection to the open sea. Estuaries form a transition zone between river environments and maritime environme ...

. Some species are also found in

deeper water ''Deeper Water'', the tenth studio album by Paul Kelly, was released on 12 September 1995 on White Label Records Mushroom Records was an Australian flagship record label, founded in 1972 in Melbourne. It published and distributed many succ ...

, including '' S. thermophilus'' that lives at hydrothermal vents (the only

flatfish A flatfish is a member of the ray-finned demersal fish order Pleuronectiformes, also called the Heterosomata, sometimes classified as a suborder of Perciformes. In many species, both eyes lie on one side of the head, one or the other migratin ...

known from this habitat).Tyler, J. (2005): Distribution, population characteristics and trophic ecology of a sulphophilic hydrothermal vent tonguefish (Pleuronectiformes: Cynoglossidae). ''Master of Science. Thesis. University of Victoria: Canada.''Munroe, T.A. & Hashimoto, J. (2008): A new Western Pacific Tonguefish (Pleuronectiformes: Cynoglossidae): The first Pleuronectiform discovered at active Hydrothermal Vents. ''Zootaxa, 1839: 43–59.'' These species are distinguished by merged

dorsal Dorsal (from Latin ''dorsum'' ‘back’) may refer to: * Dorsal (anatomy), an anatomical term of location referring to the back or upper side of an organism or parts of an organism * Dorsal, positioned on top of an aircraft's fuselage * Dorsal co ...

caudal Caudal may refer to: Anatomy * Caudal (anatomical term) (from Latin ''cauda''; tail), used to describe how close something is to the trailing end of an organism * Caudal artery, the portion of the dorsal aorta of a vertebrate that passes into the ...

and

anal fin Fins are distinctive anatomical features composed of bony spines or rays protruding from the body of a fish. They are covered with skin and joined together either in a webbed fashion, as seen in most bony fish, or similar to a flipper, as s ...

s, the absence of a lateral line and

pectoral fin Fins are distinctive anatomical features composed of bony spines or rays protruding from the body of a fish. They are covered with skin and joined together either in a webbed fashion, as seen in most bony fish, or similar to a flipper, as ...

s, and the presence of only one

pelvic fin Pelvic fins or ventral fins are paired fins located on the ventral surface of fish. The paired pelvic fins are homologous to the hindlimbs of tetrapods. Structure and function Structure In actinopterygians, the pelvic fin consists of two e ...

. They are sinistral flatfishes, meaning that as

adult An adult is a human or other animal that has reached full growth. In human context, the term ''adult'' has meanings associated with social and legal concepts. In contrast to a "minor", a legal adult is a person who has attained the age of ...

s, their crania are asymmetrical, with both

eye Eyes are organs of the visual system. They provide living organisms with vision, the ability to receive and process visual detail, as well as enabling several photo response functions that are independent of vision. Eyes detect light and conv ...

s on the left side. The largest species grows to about long.

Species

There are currently 78 recognized species in this genus: * '' Symphurus arawak'' C. R. Robins & J. E. Randall, 1965 (Caribbean tonguefish) * '' Symphurus atramentatus'' D. S. Jordan & Bollman, 1890 (Ink-spot tonguefish) * '' Symphurus atricaudus'' ( D. S. Jordan & C. H. Gilbert, 1880) (California tonguefish) * '' Symphurus australis'' McCulloch, 1907 * '' Symphurus bathyspilus'' Krabbenhoft &

Munroe Munroe is a derivation of the Scottish surname Munro (surname), Munro, and may refer to: In politics * Allen Munroe (1819–1884), New York politician * Daniel Munroe Forney, Congressional Representative from North Carolina * George H. Munroe (18 ...

, 2003 * '' Symphurus billykrietei''

, 1998 (Kriete's tonguefish) * ''

Symphurus callopterus ''Symphurus'' is a genus of fish in the family Cynoglossidae found in the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Ocean. Most species mainly occur in relatively shallow water, including estuaries. Some species are also found in deeper water, includ ...

& Mahadeva, 1989 (Chocolate tonguefish) * '' Symphurus caribbeanus''

, 1991 * ''

Symphurus chabanaudi ''Symphurus'' is a genus of fish in the family Cynoglossidae found in the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Ocean. Most species mainly occur in relatively shallow water, including estuaries. Some species are also found in deeper water, including '' ...

'' Mahadeva &

, 1990 (Chabanaud's tonguefish) * '' Symphurus civitatium'' Ginsburg, 1951 (Offshore tonguefish) * '' Symphurus diabolicus'' Mahadeva &

, 1990 (Devil's tonguefish) * '' Symphurus diomedeanus'' (

Goode Goode ( or , depending on family) is a surname. Notable people Notable people with the surname include: * Alex Goode (Born 1988), British rugby union player * Alexander D. Goode (1911-1943), US Army chaplain * Andy Goode (born 1980), British ru ...

& T. H. Bean, 1885) (Spotted-fin tonguefish) * '' Symphurus elongatus'' ( Günther, 1868) (Elongated tonguefish) * ''

Symphurus fasciolaris ''Symphurus'' is a genus of fish in the family Cynoglossidae found in the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Ocean. Most species mainly occur in relatively shallow water, including estuaries. Some species are also found in deeper water, includ ...

'' C. H. Gilbert, 1892 (Banded tonguefish) * '' Symphurus fuscus'' A. B. Brauer, 1906 * ''

Symphurus gilesii ''Symphurus'' is a genus of fish in the family Cynoglossidae found in the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Ocean. Most species mainly occur in relatively shallow water, including estuaries. Some species are also found in deeper water, including '' ...

'' (

Alcock Alcock is a surname. Notable people with the surname include: Notable people with the surname Alcock * Alfred William Alcock, British naturalist * C. W. Alcock, British sports administrator and creator of the FA Cup * Charles R. Alcock, American ...

, 1889) * ''

Symphurus ginsburgi ''Symphurus'' is a genus of fish in the family Cynoglossidae found in the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Ocean. Most species mainly occur in relatively shallow water, including estuaries. Some species are also found in deeper water, includ ...

'' Menezes & Benvegnú, 1976 (Ginsburg's tonguefish) * ''

Symphurus gorgonae ''Symphurus'' is a genus of fish in the family Cynoglossidae found in the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Ocean. Most species mainly occur in relatively shallow water, including estuaries. Some species are also found in deeper water, including '' ...

'' Chabanaud, 1948 (Gorgonian tonguefish) * '' Symphurus holothuriae'' Chabanaud, 1948 * '' Symphurus hondoensis'' C. L. Hubbs, 1915 * '' Symphurus insularis''

, Brito & C. Hernández, 2000 * ''

Symphurus jenynsi ''Symphurus'' is a genus of fish in the family Cynoglossidae found in the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Ocean. Most species mainly occur in relatively shallow water, including estuaries. Some species are also found in deeper water, includ ...

'' Evermann & Kendall, 1906 (Jenyn's tonguefish) * ''

Symphurus kyaropterygium ''Symphurus'' is a genus of fish in the family Cynoglossidae found in the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Ocean. Most species mainly occur in relatively shallow water, including estuaries. Some species are also found in deeper water, includ ...

'' Menezes & Benvegnú, 1976 * ''

Symphurus leei ''Symphurus'' is a genus of fish in the family Cynoglossidae found in the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Ocean. Most species mainly occur in relatively shallow water, including estuaries. Some species are also found in deeper water, includ ...

'' D. S. Jordan & Bollman, 1890 (Lee's tonguefish) * '' Symphurus leucochilus'' M. Y. Lee,

& K. T. Shao, 2014 Lee, M.-Y., Munroe, T.A. & Shao, K.-T. (2014): Description of a new cryptic, shallow-water tonguefish (Pleuronectiformes: Cynoglossidae: ''Symphurus'') from the western North Pacific Ocean. ''Journal of Fish Biology, 85 (3): 563–585.'' * ''

Symphurus ligulatus ''Symphurus'' is a genus of fish in the family Cynoglossidae found in the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Ocean. Most species mainly occur in relatively shallow water, including estuaries. Some species are also found in deeper water, includ ...

'' ( Cocco, 1844) * ''

Symphurus longirostris ''Symphurus'' is a genus of fish in the family Cynoglossidae found in the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Ocean. Most species mainly occur in relatively shallow water, including estuaries. Some species are also found in deeper water, includ ...

'' M. Y. Lee,

& Y. Kai, 2016 (Long-snout tonguefish) Lee, M.-Y., Munroe, T.A. & Kai, Y. (2016): Description of a new cryptic species of tonguefish (Pleuronectiformes: Cynoglossidae: ''Symphurus'') from shallow waters off Japan. ''Ichthyological Research, 64 (1): 71–83.'' * ''

Symphurus lubbocki ''Symphurus'' is a genus of fish in the family Cynoglossidae found in the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Ocean. Most species mainly occur in relatively shallow water, including estuaries. Some species are also found in deeper water, including '' ...

, 1990 * '' Symphurus luzonensis'' Chabanaud, 1955 * '' Symphurus macrophthalmus'' Norman, 1939 * '' Symphurus maculopinnis''

, J. Tyler & Tunnicliffe, 2011 Munroe, T.A., Tyler, J. & Tunnicliffe, V. (2011): Description and biological observations on a new species of deepwater symphurine tonguefish (Pleuronectiformes: Cynoglossidae: ''Symphurus'') collected at Volcano–19, Tonga Arc, West Pacific Ocean. ''Zootaxa, 3061: 53-66.'' * '' Symphurus maldivensis'' Chabanaud, 1955 * ''

Symphurus marginatus ''Symphurus'' is a genus of fish in the family Cynoglossidae found in the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Ocean. Most species mainly occur in relatively shallow water, including estuaries. Some species are also found in deeper water, including ' ...

'' (

& T. H. Bean, 1886) (Margined tonguefish) * '' Symphurus marmoratus'' Fowler, 1934 * ''

Symphurus megasomus ''Symphurus'' is a genus of fish in the family (biology), family Cynoglossidae found in the Atlantic Ocean, Atlantic, Indian Ocean, Indian and Pacific Ocean. Most species mainly occur in relatively shallow water, including estuaries. Some species ...

'' M. Y. Lee, H. M. Chen & K. T. Shao, 2009 (Giant tonguefish) * '' Symphurus melanurus'' H. W. Clark, 1936 (Drab tonguefish) * ''

Symphurus melasmatotheca ''Symphurus'' is a genus of fish in the family Cynoglossidae found in the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Ocean. Most species mainly occur in relatively shallow water, including estuaries. Some species are also found in deeper water, includ ...

& Nizinski, 1990 (Black-stripe tonguefish) * ''

Symphurus microlepis ''Symphurus'' is a genus of fish in the family Cynoglossidae found in the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Ocean. Most species mainly occur in relatively shallow water, including estuaries. Some species are also found in deeper water, includ ...

'' Garman, 1899 (Small-fin tonguefish) * '' Symphurus microrhynchus'' ( M. C. W. Weber, 1913) * ''

Symphurus minor ''Symphurus'' is a genus of fish in the family (biology), family Cynoglossidae found in the Atlantic Ocean, Atlantic, Indian Ocean, Indian and Pacific Ocean. Most species mainly occur in relatively shallow water, including estuaries. Some species ...

'' Ginsburg, 1951 (Large-scale tonguefish) * ''

Symphurus monostigmus ''Symphurus'' is a genus of fish in the family Cynoglossidae found in the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Ocean. Most species mainly occur in relatively shallow water, including estuaries. Some species are also found in deeper water, including '' ...

, 2006 * '' Symphurus multimaculatus'' M. Y. Lee,

& H. M. Chen, 2009 (Pepper-dot tonguefish) * ''

Symphurus nebulosus ''Symphurus'' is a genus of fish in the family Cynoglossidae found in the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Ocean. Most species mainly occur in relatively shallow water, including estuaries. Some species are also found in deeper water, including '' ...

'' (

& T. H. Bean, 1883) (Freckled tonguefish) * '' Symphurus nigrescens''

Rafinesque Constantine Samuel Rafinesque-Schmaltz (; October 22, 1783September 18, 1840) was a French 19th-century polymath born near Constantinople in the Ottoman Empire and self-educated in France. He traveled as a young man in the United States, ultimat ...

, 1810 (Tonguefish) * ''

Symphurus normani ''Symphurus'' is a genus of fish in the family Cynoglossidae found in the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Ocean. Most species mainly occur in relatively shallow water, including estuaries. Some species are also found in deeper water, including ...

'' Chabanaud, 1950 (Norman's tonguefish) * '' Symphurus novemfasciatus'' S. C. Shen & W. W. Lin, 1984 * ''

Symphurus ocellaris ''Symphurus'' is a genus of fish in the family (biology), family Cynoglossidae found in the Atlantic Ocean, Atlantic, Indian Ocean, Indian and Pacific Ocean. Most species mainly occur in relatively shallow water, including estuaries. Some species ...

& D. R. Robertson, 2005 (Ring-tail tonguefish) * '' Symphurus ocellatus'' von Bonde, 1922 (Double-spot tonguefish) * ''

Symphurus oculellus ''Symphurus'' is a genus of fish in the family Cynoglossidae found in the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Ocean. Most species mainly occur in relatively shallow water, including estuaries. Some species are also found in deeper water, includ ...

, 1991 * ''

Symphurus oligomerus ''Symphurus'' is a genus of fish in the family Cynoglossidae found in the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Ocean. Most species mainly occur in relatively shallow water, including estuaries. Some species are also found in deeper water, includ ...

'' Mahadeva &

, 1990 (Spot-fin tonguefish) * '' Symphurus ommaspilus'' J. E. Böhlke, 1961 (Ocellated tonguefish) * ''

Symphurus orientalis ''Symphurus'' is a genus of fish in the family Cynoglossidae found in the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Ocean. Most species mainly occur in relatively shallow water, including estuaries. Some species are also found in deeper water, including '' S ...

'' ( Bleeker, 1879) * '' Symphurus parvus'' Ginsburg, 1951 (Pygmy tonguefish) * '' Symphurus pelicanus'' Ginsburg, 1951 (Long-tail tonguefish) * ''

Symphurus piger ''Symphurus'' is a genus of fish in the family (biology), family Cynoglossidae found in the Atlantic Ocean, Atlantic, Indian Ocean, Indian and Pacific Ocean. Most species mainly occur in relatively shallow water, including estuaries. Some species ...

'' (

& T. H. Bean, 1886) (Deep-water tonguefish) * '' Symphurus plagiusa'' (

Linnaeus Carl Linnaeus (; 23 May 1707 – 10 January 1778), also known after his ennoblement in 1761 as Carl von Linné Blunt (2004), p. 171. (), was a Swedish botanist, zoologist, taxonomist, and physician who formalised binomial nomenclature, t ...

, 1766) (Black-cheek tonguefish) * '' Symphurus plagusia'' (

Bloch Bloch is a surname of German origin. Notable people with this surname include: A–F * (1859-1914), French rabbi * Adele Bloch-Bauer (1881-1925), Austrian entrepreneur * Albert Bloch (1882–1961), American painter * (born 1972), German motor jour ...

& J. G. Schneider, 1801) (Dusky-cheek tonguefish) * ''

Symphurus prolatinaris ''Symphurus'' is a genus of fish in the family Cynoglossidae found in the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Ocean. Most species mainly occur in relatively shallow water, including estuaries. Some species are also found in deeper water, includ ...

, Nizinski & Mahadeva, 1991 (Half-striped tonguefish) * ''

Symphurus pusillus The northern tonguefish (''Symphurus pusillus'') is a species of fish belonging to the family Cynoglossidae. Description The body of the northern tonguefish has alternating narrow and broad bands spanning the length of it. It has 12 caudal f ...

'' (

& T. H. Bean, 1885) (Northern tonguefish) * '' Symphurus regani'' M. C. W. Weber & de Beaufort, 1929 * '' Symphurus reticulatus''

, 1990 * '' Symphurus rhytisma'' J. E. Böhlke, 1961 (Patch-tail tonguefish) * ''

Symphurus schultzi ''Symphurus'' is a genus of fish in the family (biology), family Cynoglossidae found in the Atlantic Ocean, Atlantic, Indian Ocean, Indian and Pacific Ocean. Most species mainly occur in relatively shallow water, including estuaries. Some species ...

'' Chabanaud, 1955 * '' Symphurus septemstriatus'' (

, 1891) (Seven-band tonguefish) * ''

Symphurus stigmosus ''Symphurus'' is a genus of fish in the family Cynoglossidae found in the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Ocean. Most species mainly occur in relatively shallow water, including estuaries. Some species are also found in deeper water, includ ...

, 1998 (Blotch-fin tonguefish) * '' Symphurus strictus'' C. H. Gilbert, 1905 (Black-belly tonguefish) * '' Symphurus tessellatus'' ( Quoy &

Gaimard Joseph Paul Gaimard (31 January 1793 – 10 December 1858) was a French naval surgeon A naval surgeon, or less commonly ship's doctor, is the person responsible for the health of the ship's company aboard a warship. The term appears often ...

, 1824) * '' Symphurus thermophilus''

& Hashimoto, 2008 (Western Pacific tonguefish) * ''

Symphurus trewavasae ''Symphurus'' is a genus of fish in the family (biology), family Cynoglossidae found in the Atlantic Ocean, Atlantic, Indian Ocean, Indian and Pacific Ocean. Most species mainly occur in relatively shallow water, including estuaries. Some species ...

'' Chabanaud, 1948 (Trewavas' tonguefish) * ''

Symphurus trifasciatus ''Symphurus'' is a genus of fish in the family (biology), family Cynoglossidae found in the Atlantic Ocean, Atlantic, Indian Ocean, Indian and Pacific Ocean. Most species mainly occur in relatively shallow water, including estuaries. Some species ...

'' (

, 1894) (Three-band tonguefish) * ''

Symphurus undatus ''Symphurus'' is a genus of fish in the family Cynoglossidae found in the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Ocean. Most species mainly occur in relatively shallow water, including estuaries. Some species are also found in deeper water, includ ...

'' C. H. Gilbert, 1905 * '' Symphurus undecimplerus''

& Nizinski, 1990 (Dark-cheek tonguefish) * '' Symphurus urospilus'' Ginsburg, 1951 (Spot-tail tonguefish) * ''

Symphurus vanmelleae ''Symphurus'' is a genus of fish in the family Cynoglossidae found in the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Ocean. Most species mainly occur in relatively shallow water, including estuaries. Some species are also found in deeper water, includ ...

'' Chabanaud, 1952 (Vanmelle's tonguefish) * '' Symphurus variegatus'' ( Gilchrist, 1903) * ''

Symphurus varius ''Symphurus'' is a genus of fish in the family Cynoglossidae found in the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Ocean. Most species mainly occur in relatively shallow water, including estuaries. Some species are also found in deeper water, including '' ...

'' Garman, 1899 (Mottled tonguefish) * ''

Symphurus williamsi ''Symphurus'' is a genus of fish in the family Cynoglossidae found in the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Ocean. Most species mainly occur in relatively shallow water, including estuaries. Some species are also found in deeper water, including '' ...

'' D. S. Jordan & Culver, 1895 (William's tonguefish) * ''

Symphurus woodmasoni ''Symphurus'' is a genus of fish in the family Cynoglossidae found in the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Ocean. Most species mainly occur in relatively shallow water, including estuaries. Some species are also found in deeper water, includ ...

'' (

, 1889)

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q2785579 Cynoglossidae Taxa named by Constantine Samuel Rafinesque Marine fish genera