Diamond Turbot

[Ken Jones]

Righteye Flounders—Family Pleuronectidae​

Diamond Turbot



Diamond Turbot from the Shelter Island Pier​

Species: Pleuronichthys guttulata (Girard 1856); and the Latin word guttulata (with small spots). Formerly Hypsopsetta guttulata, from the Greek word hypsopsetta (meaning deep flounder, referring to the oval shape).

Alternate Names: Turbot or diamond flounder. Called platija diamante in Mexico.

Diamond Turbot from the Cabrillo Beach Pier
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Identification: Diamond turbot are (surprise, surprise) diamond shaped and a right-eyed member of the flatfish family. They have a small mouth with the dorsal branch of the lateral line extending more than half the distance to the caudal fin. Their coloring is dark gray, brown or green with bright blue round spots on the pigmented side; there is a yellow rim near the mouth on the blind side.

Size: To 18 inches; most caught from piers are less than 12 inches.

Diamond Turbot from the Cabrillo Beach Pier
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Range: Gulf of California, and along the Pacific Coast from Cabo San Lucas, southern Baja California, to Cape Mendocino, northern California. Common from Bahía Magdalena, southern Baja California, to Tomales Bay, northern California.

Habitat: Found from the surf zone down to a depth of 150 feet and especially common in bays, over sand and mud.

Diamond Turbot from the Marin Rod & Gun Club​

Piers: Most common at SoCal piers located in bays but occasionally reported from CenCal piers. Best bets: Bayside Park Pier, Ferry Landing Pier, Shelter Island Pier, Oceanside Small Craft Harbor Pier, Dana Point Harbor Pier and the Seal Beach Pier.

Shoreline: A common catch in southern California, especially if fishing in bays.

Boats: Occasionally taken by boaters fishing in southern California bays, Morro Bay and San Francisco Bay.

Diamond Turbot from the Balboa Pier​

Bait and Tackle: Diamond turbot are small flatfish, which prefer a small hook and live bait. Bloodworm, lugworms, and small ghost shrimp are the best baits. However, many are also caught on cut anchovy, strips of squid, and pieces of shrimp or clam. Hooks should not be larger than size 4. Although more commonly taken from piers in bays, they can also be caught at oceanfront piers, generally just out past the surf area.

Food Value: Excellent although this is another fish which (since often caught in bays) may be unsafe to eat in areas with heavy pollution. The flesh is white colored, mild flavored, soft in texture, and low in fat content. It is suitable for any method of cooking but perhaps is best fried.

Diamond Turbot from the Goleta Pier​

Comments: An attractive and good tasting little fish.