Britannica
Sources used in this answer
Which flatfish species can live in freshwater as well as marine water?
Created from Britannica articles
using AI.
AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
pleuronectiform
Body plan and sexual dimorphism in the common sole (Solea solea) and dusky flounder (Syacium papillosum).
Within the order Pleuronectiformes, most species are marine, but some are capable of living in both freshwater and marine environments.1
A notable example is the European flounder (Platichthys flesus), which is a flatfish recognized as both a marine and freshwater food and sport fish. While many flatfish are primarily found in temperate and tropical seas, certain species have adapted to spend all or part of their lives in freshwater.21
These fish possess the ability to navigate varying levels of salinity, though moving between environments requires physiological adjustments to regulate osmotic pressure.3