Flatfishes

The suborder Pleuronectoidei encompasses flatfishes, a distinctive group of marine species renowned for their flattened body shape and asymmetrically placed eyes. These remarkable fish undergo a metamorphosis where one eye migrates, allowing them to lie flat on the ocean floor. Masters of camouflage, flatfishes blend seamlessly with their surroundings, primarily inhabiting sandy or muddy seabeds and coastal regions. Their unique adaptation enables them to lie on one side, concealing themselves effectively and ambushing prey. With eyes positioned on the upper side, they can spot food and detect threats from above. Including well-known members like flounders and halibuts, flatfishes showcase diverse species with intriguing biology, making them captivating and ecologically significant inhabitants of the marine environment.