Editing Flatfish (section)

==Characteristics==
[[File:Pseudopleuronectes americanus.jpg|thumb|left|Flatfish are asymmetric, with both eyes lying on the same side of the head]]
[[File:Platichthys flesus - en.pdf|thumb|left|European flounder, like other flatfish, experience an eye migration during their lifetime.]]
The most obvious characteristic of the flatfish is its [[asymmetry]], with both eyes lying on the same side of the head in the adult fish. In some families, the eyes are usually on the right side of the body (dextral or right-eyed flatfish), and in others, they are usually on the left (sinistral or left-eyed flatfish). The primitive [[spiny turbot]]s include equal numbers of right- and left-sided individuals, and are generally less asymmetrical than the other families.<ref name=EoF/> Other distinguishing features of the order are the presence of protrusible eyes, another adaptation to living on the [[seabed]] ([[benthos]]), and the extension of the dorsal fin onto the head.
[[File:Polynemus paradiseus Ford 42.jpg|thumb|''[[Polynemus]]'', a threadfin, belongs to the same group as flatfish, but looks completely different]]
The most basal members of the group, the [[Threadfin|threadfins]], do not closely resemble the flatfishes.

The surface of the fish facing away from the sea floor is pigmented, often serving to [[camouflage]] the fish, but sometimes with striking coloured patterns. Some flatfishes are also able to change their pigmentation to match the background, in a manner similar to some [[cephalopods]]. The side of the body without the eyes, facing the seabed, is usually colourless or very pale.<ref name=EoF>{{cite book |editor=Paxton, J.R. |editor2=Eschmeyer, W.N.|author1=Chapleau, Francois  |author2=Amaoka, Kunio|year=1998|title=Encyclopedia of Fishes|publisher= Academic Press|location=San Diego|pages= xxx|isbn= 0-12-547665-5 |no-pp=true}}</ref>

In general, flatfishes rely on their camouflage for avoiding predators, but some have [[aposematism|aposematic]] traits such as conspicuous [[Eyespot (mimicry)|eyespots]] (e.g., ''[[Microchirus ocellatus]]'') and several small tropical species (at least ''[[Aseraggodes]]'', ''[[Pardachirus]]'' and ''[[Zebrias]]'') are poisonous.<ref name=RandallHawaii/><ref>Elst, R. van der (1997) ''A Guide to the Common Sea Fishes of South Africa.'' {{ISBN|978-1868253944}}</ref><ref>Debelius, H. (1997). ''Mediterranean and Atlantic Fish Guide.'' {{ISBN|978-3925919541}}</ref> Juveniles of ''[[Soleichthys maculosus]]'' [[mimic]] toxic flatworms of the genus ''[[Pseudobiceros]]'' in both colours and swimming mode.<ref>Practical Fishkeeping (22 May 2012) ''[http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/content.php?sid=5061 Video: Tiny sole mimics a flatworm.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140517213218/http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/content.php?sid=5061 |date=2014-05-17 }}'' Retrieved 17 May 2014.</ref><ref>[[Australian Museum]] (5 November 2010). ''[http://australianmuseum.net.au/BlogPost/Fish-Bits/This-week-in-Fish-Flatworm-mimic-and-shark-teeth This week in Fish: Flatworm mimic and shark teeth.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130226172618/http://australianmuseum.net.au/blogpost/Fish-Bits/This-week-in-Fish-Flatworm-mimic-and-shark-teeth |date=2013-02-26 }}'' Retrieved 17 May 2014.</ref>  Conversely, a few [[octopus]] species have been reported to mimic flatfishes in colours, shape and swimming mode.<ref>Hanlon, R.T.; Warson, A.C.; and Barbosa, A. (2010). ''A "Mimic Octopus" in the Atlantic: Flatfish Mimicry and Camouflage by Macrotritopus defilippi.'' [[The Biological Bulletin]] 218(1): 15-24</ref>

The [[flounder]]s and spiny turbots eat smaller fish, and have well-developed teeth. They sometimes seek prey in the midwater, away from the bottom, and show fewer extreme adaptations than other families. The [[Sole (fish)|sole]]s, by contrast, are almost exclusively bottom-dwellers, and feed on invertebrates. They show a more extreme asymmetry, and may lack teeth on one side of the jaw.<ref name=EoF/>

Flatfishes range in size from ''[[Tarphops oligolepis]]'', measuring about {{convert|4.5|cm|in|abbr=on}} in length, and weighing {{convert|2|g|oz|abbr=on}}, to the [[Atlantic halibut]], at {{convert|2.5|m|ft|abbr=on}} and {{convert|316|kg|lb|abbr=on}}.<ref name=EoF/>

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{{common fish}}