Speckled Sanddab

Speckled Sanddab

Author:  Z. Hissen

Scientific name: Citharichthys stigmaeus

Identifying Features:  As a flatfish the speckled sanddab has both of its eyes on one side of the body – this species has them on the left side of its body. In addition the fish’s body is camouflaged and is usually brown or a similar color with its namesake speckles on its left side and pale, often white or cream colored on its right side. The speckled sanddab can change the color of the camouflage side of its body to match the terrain it is on. The speckled sanddab can grow up to 19.2cm (8in) with females being larger than males.

Habitat:  The speckled sanddab inhabits the ocean floor in areas with sand or fine gravel. They can be found along the west coast of North America from Alaska to Mexico. They are usually found from the intertidal zone to 60-90 meters down but can be less commonly found at depths of up to 366 meters.

Life Cycle:  The speckled sanddab can live for up to 4 years old with female sanddabs maturing faster than male sanddabs. Spawning takes place between march and october.

Food: Speckled sanddabs eat smaller crustaceans, clams, polychete worms and sometimes smaller fish.

Photos by D. Young

References

Hobson, E. S., & Chess, J. R. (n.d.). Relationships among fishes and their prey in a nearshore sand community off southern California. Springer Nature. Retrieved January 22, 2026, from https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/BF00698198

Southern California .Academy of Sciences. (1987). Seasonal Spawning Cycle of the Speckled Sanddab, Citharichthys stigmaeus (Bothidae). Bull. Southern California Acad. Sci., 86(3), 164-166.

Washington department of fish & wildlife. (n.d.). Speckled sanddab (Citharichthys stigmaeus). Washington department of fish & wildlife. Retrieved January 27, 2026, from https://wdfw.wa.gov/species-habitats/species/citharichthys-stigmaeus#desc-range

www.fishbase.org. (n.d.). Citharichthys stigmaeus Jordan & Gilbert, 1882 Speckled sanddab. fishbase. Retrieved January 9, 2026, from https://www.fishbase.org/summary/Citharichthys_stigmaeus.html