THE FLAT-FISH FAMILY 223 



The Common Dab (Pleuronectes limanda). 



Distinguishing CJiaracters. To be recognised by the rounded 

 curve of the lateral line above the pectoral fin, and the roughness 

 of the skin due to the spiny scales. The ridge behind the eyes 

 is smooth. Fin-rays, dorsal 65-78, ventral 50-62. The colour 

 is a rather light brown with no distinct markings in the dead 

 fish, but during life spots arranged like those of the plaice, but 

 smaller and not red, can usually be seen. 



Size. On the east coast of Scotland the extreme limits of 

 size of mature females are 5^ inches and 17 inches, of mature 

 males 4 inches and 16 inches. The average size of the males 

 was 8'i inches, of females 8 '9 inches. During the Irish Survey no 

 dabs were taken over 14 inches long. At Plymouth also the 

 average size is 8 to 9 inches. 



Names. Common dab, sand dab, salt-water fleuk (Edin- 

 burgh). 



Habitat. From the Bay of Biscay to the north coast of 

 Europe ; absent from the Mediterranean and from the American 

 side of the Atlantic. It is abundant on the shores of Iceland, 

 of the Orkney and Shetland Islands, and everywhere around the 

 British coasts, as well as in the Baltic. 



The dab has a wide range in depth and saltness of water ; it 

 is found in abundance with plaice and flounders in the lower 

 parts of estuaries, though not ascending so far up as the 

 flounder, and it is common in the open sea up to the depth of 

 50 fathoms. It is more abundant at depths less than 35 fathoms 

 than at those greater. 



Food. From the examination of the stomachs of 579 speci- 

 mens, taken in the Firth of Forth, it was found that Crustacea 

 formed the principal food. They occurred in 48 per cent, of the 

 stomachs. The commonest kinds were hermit crabs of various 

 species, swimming crabs and various " hoppers " (i.e. Amphipods). 

 Next in abundance of the animals swallowed were of the class 

 of echinoderms, namely, sand-stars and brittle-stars, which were 

 found in 21 per cent, of the stomachs. Molluscs were less 

 commonly present and included the common clam (Pecten 

 opercnlaris}, razor shells (Solen\ and various other bivalves. 



