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About a week ago, I was making one of my many weekly jaunts into my lfs and spied a tank with new arrivals.... When I inquired, I was advised that the fish I was looking at were called "Tongue Fish" --- (and while I agree the general shape looks like a tongue, I personally would have called them "Magic Carpets" --- The only information I could gain from the lfs was that these fish were quite gentle, they were bottom feeders and that I would need to supplement their diet with algae wafers.... This is very little information! I don't even know what classification these "Tongue Fish" fall under! Did purchase two - and they are doing quite well in my 55 gal Community Tank.... But I know nothing of their reproductive habits or any special needs they might have.... Can anyone help?

To thine own self be true...

Are they flatfishes?

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I'm not your neighbor, you Bakersfield trash.

Yes, they're "flat" - kind of a brown on top, white underbelly - eyes are located on top mouth on the bottom.... Sometimes they just lie flat on the bottom of the tank --- sometimes they kind of attach themselves to the side glass....

To thine own self be true...

I have heard of a tongue fish before but the one I know of is marine. I presume that the fish you are talking of is freshwater.

OK I did some research and yes there are some freshwater and brackish tonguefish. All of these fish belong to the family Cynoglossidae. I was unable to find any info about their care in an aquarium though.

Yes, the ones I have are freshwater.... And supposedly grow to about 4 inches in length.... They are interesting.... They truly do look more like a magic carpet rather than a tongue --- especially when they swim.... As mine are seemingly content and thriving, you would think I'd be happy.... But fishkeeping - at least in my opinion - isn't just a matter of "getting by".... I enjoy learning about my tank's inhabitants.... Haven't had much time lately - but I do intend to MAKE the time and go online to research.... I was just hoping for a "kick off" of information.....


To thine own self be true...

well i heard they get to be about 11" and can live in any type of tank but not salt.

and for deffence they change colors and have little spikes come up from there back.

Yes, the ones I have are freshwater.... And supposedly grow to about 4 inches in length....

That would depend on the species. I've seen them sold more than 4" in length... Like the Freshwater Flounder, there are a number of species ranging from small to too big for your tank.:%)

Oh, and flatfishes (tongue fish do come from the order Pleuronectiformes like the rest of the flatfishes) are not usually algae eating, but highly predatory.

And sand. Like the rest of the flatfishes you want to give sand.

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The aquarist is one who must learn the ways of the biologist, the chemist, and the veterinarian.

tonge fish? that sounds cool! do u have a foto u can show?

[font color="#008000"]Im sure a tongue fish is the same as a Sole, right.
They sound the same.[/font]

There is no such thing as a fully freshwater flatfish. All flounders, sole, halibut and otherwise live in brackish to fully marine enviornments. Sure, they can live in FW for extended periods of time, but they'll do much better in a brackish aquarium setting. Btw, tonguefish aren't "technically" sole, although they are often (IIRc) referred to as tongue or tailless sole, as they are left eyed flatfish, whereas soles are a predominantly right eyed family. In any case, as said, flatfish are carnivorous and predatory, and are reported to only accept live food. However, I fed my FW flounder flake + blooworms mushed against the tank glass, and he happily munched away on that.