Norwegian record Topknot: 342 g

About Topknot

The topknot (Zeugopterus punctatus) is a small left-eyed flatfish that seldom grows beyond 25 cm. It is almost round in outline, with broad fins running right around the body and a very short tail stalk. The scales on the upper side carry tiny spines, so the skin feels downy, which is where the Norwegian name hårvar (hairy flatfish) comes from. It is mottled brown and white with a dark bar through the eyes. Unlike most flatfish it lives on rocky ground, often among seaweed at 1–40 m. It can cling to steep rock faces and even hang upside down under overhangs, relying on keeping still rather than changing colour. It feeds on small fish and crustaceans and spawns between February and June. In Norway it occurs along the coast north to Lofoten. Norwegian Red List 2021: Least Concern (LC).

Sources: Artsdatabanken, Store norske leksikon, Wikipedia

• Habitat: Saltvann
• Best month: Oktober

See the species guide

Biggest Topknot in FishComp

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How to register a Norwegian record

1. Norwegian sport-fishing records are registered with Villmarksliv, not with FishComp. Read the rules before you do anything else with the fish.
2. Records are based on weight and approved by a jury. You give the weight and length, where it was caught, the gear you used and any witnesses.
3. Keep your photos and notes from the catch. Logging it in FishComp does not register a record.