These flatfishes have both eyes on the left side of the body and are 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.

Fish Hole, Midway Atoll, 30 feet

Fish Hole, Midway Atoll, 30 feet

Uncommon on rocky reefs.  Forehead profile is concave and the eyes are set far apart, the upper eye behind a line from the back of the lower eye.  Attains 18 inches.

Kahe Point, Oahu, 30 feet

Kaneohe Bay, Oahu, 30 feet

Hanauma Bay, Oahu, 40 feet

Hanauma Bay, Oahu, 40 feet

Kahala, Oahu, 2 feet

Kewalo Pipe, Oahu, 45 feet

Kewalo Pipe, Oahu, 45 feet

Kewalo Pipe, Oahu, 45 feet

Sharks Cove, Oahu, 45 feet

Common on soft bottoms.  Forehead profile is rounded and the eyes are set close together, the upper eye within a line from the back of the lower eye.  Attains 12 inches.

Makua, Oahu, 30 feet

Makua, Oahu, 30 feet

Cryptic on fine sand at scuba depths.  Eyes are larger than the similar E. arenicola.  Attains 3 inches.  Endemic to Hawaii.

These flatfishes have both eyes on the right side of the body.  Only one species occurs in shallow water in Hawaii.

Hanauma Bay, Oahu, 10 feet

Rare in shallow water.  Has three ocelli or bullseyes on the side.  Attains 3 inches.

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.

Punalu'u, Oahu, 3 feet

Endemic to Hawaii.  Rare on gravel on shallow reefs.  Attains 3 inches.

Puako, Hawaii, 15 feet

Makapu'u tidepool, Oahu

Kaloko, Oahu, 5 feet

Kaloko, Oahu, 5 feet

Paradise Cove, Grand Bahama, 4 feet

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