Spiny turbot

The spiny turbots are a family, Psettodidae,^[1] of relatively large, primitive flatfish found in the tropical waters of the east Atlantic and Indo-Pacific.^[2] The family contains just three species, all in the same genus, Psettodes. The common name comes from the presence of spines in the dorsal and anal fins, which may indicate an evolutionary relationship with the Perciformes. They are less asymmetrical than other flatfish, although the region around the eyes is twisted.^[3] They reach lengths of 55–80 cm (22–31 in).^[4]

Late stage larvae of P. erumei

Spiny turbots
Indian halibut (P. erumei)
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Order:	Carangiformes
Suborder:	Pleuronectoidei
Family:	Psettodidae Regan, 1910
Genus:	Psettodes E. T. Bennett, 1831
Type species
Psettodes belcheri Bennett, 1831

Species

The currently recognized species in this genus are:^[4]

• Psettodes belcheri E. T. Bennett, 1831 (spottail spiny turbot)
• Psettodes bennetti Steindachner, 1870 (spiny turbot)
• Psettodes erumei (Bloch & J. G. Schneider, 1801) (Indian halibut)