Topknot
Zeugopterus punctatus
Habitat: Shallow rocky sea bed among algae
Depth: 1-40m
Food: Small fish and crustaceans
Length: Up to 25cm
Lifespan: Unknown
Conservation Status: Not Evaluated (NE)
While most flatfish lie on the sandy sea bed, the topknot is more at home on the rocky sea bed. It is able to cling to rocks by suction and hardly moves, giving it superb camouflage. Like turbot and brill, the topknot is a left-sided flatfish. The scales on its eyed-side are hairy, giving the fish a velvety appearance.