Family: Bothidae, Lefteye Flounders view all from this family

Description to 16" (41 cm). Extremely compressed, deep, eyes on left side; eyed side brown, with darker brown mottling and sometimes dull orange spots; blind side off-white to pale brown. Snout moderately sharp; ridge between eyes concave, diameter of lower eye longer than snout length; preopercle visible. Pelvic fins asymmetrical, attached to ventral ridge on eyed side; dorsal fin origin over eyes; anal fin origin below pectoral fin; anal and dorsal fins extend almost to caudal fin. Lateral line straight.

Related Species Speckled Sanddab (C. stigmaeus) has 11-15 gill rakers on first arch; short pectoral fin; occurs from Montague Island, Alaska, to Bahia Magdalena, Baja California. Longfin Sanddab (C. xanthostigma) has very long pectoral fin, upper soft rays longer than head; occurs from Monterey Bay, California, to Costa Rica. Both in similar habitat.

Habitat Over soft bottoms to 300 fathoms.

Range From Bering Sea to Cabo San Lucas, Baja California.

Discussion The Pacific Sanddab spawns during the winter; some females may spawn twice a season. Highly regarded as food, this flatfish is sought by anglers as well as commercial trawlers.