Bothidae

fish family

Also known as: left-eyed flounder

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Last updated

June 30, 2026

Quick Summary

Bothidae is a family of flatfishes, commonly known as flounders, that are widely distributed. These fish are characterized by their large scales and a unique developmental process where, after birth, one eye migrates to the other side of the body. As adults, they live on the seabed with both eyes on their upper side. In the Bothidae family, the eyes and coloring are typically found on the left side of the fish.12

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pleuronectiform
Annotated classification
Family Bothidae (left-eyed flounders)Eyes sinistral; anus generally far up on blind side; gill membranes connected; dorsal and anal fin rays shortened posteriorly; two series of intramuscular bones; pelvic fin bases on ocular side long, on blind side shorter, 6-fin rays in all but 1 species.…
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Family Bothidae (left-eyed flounders)Eyes sinistral; anus generally far up on blind side; gill membranes connected; dorsal and anal fin rays shortened posteriorly; two series of intramuscular bones; pelvic fin bases on ocular side long, on blind side shorter, 6-fin rays in all but 1 species.…
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flounder
In the families Bothidae and Paralichthyidae, which together contain more than 240 species, the better-known flounders include the summer flounder (Paralichthys dentatus), an American Atlantic food fish growing to about 90 cm (35 inches); the peacock flounder (Bothus lunatus), a tropical American Atlantic species attractively marked with many…
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In the families Bothidae and Paralichthyidae, which together contain more than 240 species, the better-known flounders include the summer flounder (Paralichthys dentatus), an American Atlantic food fish growing to about 90 cm (35 inches); the peacock flounder (Bothus lunatus), a tropical American Atlantic species attractively marked with many…
Read More