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Flatfishes

Family Bothidae, Lefteye Flounders

Eyes are on the left side of the head.  The only large species in shallow water in Hawaii although there are several other types in deep water.  They feed upon small fishes and crustaceans by altering their color to match the bottom or hiding in sand.  Males have much elongated pectoral fin rays.

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HAWAII

Bothus mancus

FLOWERY FLOUNDER

 

Bothus pantherinus

PANTHER FLOUNDER

 

Engyprosopon hawaiiensis

HAWAIIAN DWARF FLOUNDER

 


Family Pleuronectidae, Righteye Flounders

These flatfishes have eyes on the right side of the head.  One species occurs in shallow water in Hawaii.

 

HAWAII

Samariscus triocellatus

THREESPOT CRESTED FLOUNDER

 


Family Soleidae, Soles

Soles have eyes on the right side of the body and the fins nearly encircle the body.  They are usually seen at night when the emerge from sandy holes in the reef.

 

HAWAII

Aseraggodes holcomi 

HOLCOM'S SOLE

 

Aseraggodes therese 

THERESE'S SOLE

 



TROPICAL WESTERN ATLANTIC

Family Bothidae

Bothus lunatus

PEACOCK FLOUNDER