No. 20. TURBOT. 



Rhombus niaxinnis, Linnaeus. 

 Usual extreme length : 26 inches, the average being- 17 inches. 



Description: Body very broad and rounded in outline; eyes on 

 the left side of the head, which latter is large in proportion to 

 the rest of the body ; upper and lower jaws equal on both sides ; 

 scales absent, their place being- taken by numerous scattered 

 bony tubercles. Dorsal fin commencing in advance of the 

 upper eye and comprising sixty-one to seventy-two rays, the 

 anal forty-five to fiftv-six. The coloration in life is admirably 



J - ** 



in keeping with the fish's surroundings, being variously speckled 

 with different shades of brown which harmonise with the general 

 tone of the sea-bed, but this characteristic departs with life, and 

 fish seen exposed for sale are generally dark brown, with 

 inconspicuous mottling. 



The Turbot spawns from April to August ; its food consists 

 largely of other fishes. 



Range: Essentially a southern fish, the Turbot occurs through- 

 out the Mediterranean and Black Seas, and northward to the 

 South of Scandinavia. 



Remarks: -This species is a " prime fish " of excellent quality, second 

 only to the Sole in value and flavour. The greatest quantity marketed 

 in this country comes from the Southern area of the North Sea, but the 

 English Channel also supports a profitable fishery. The Turbot forming 

 the ordinary stock-in-trade of the fishmonger are generally fish of large 

 or medium size, which are cut and retailed in pieces suitable for boiling 

 or frying. Small fish from ilb. to i^lbs., known as "Chicken Turbot," 

 "Dover Turbot," etc.. are sometimes to be obtained at very moderate 

 price, and are eminently suitable for frying or grilling entire. 



