|Range||Atlantic Ocean, Pacific Ocean|
|Conservation Status |
Flounders are bottom dwellers that depend upon camouflage to disguise themselves on the sandy seafloor.
There are a number of geographical and taxonomic species to which flounder belong. Flounders are unique flatfish that have adapted to living in the open ocean by having good camouflage. It hides in the sand from predators, and eats small fish that happen to swim close to it. Some flounders, like the Peacock Flounder, even have the ability to change colors, even though it's only to some expanse. When flounders are born they have 2 eyes on either side of their body, and as they mature they slowly come together at one side, allowing the flounder to use it's camouflage in the sand.
- Gulf flounder - Paralichthys albigutta
- Southern flounder - Paralichthys lethostigma
- Summer flounder (also known as fluke) - Paralichthys dentatus
- Winter flounder - Pseudopleuronectes americanus
European flounder - Platichthys flesus
Olive flounder - Paralichthys olivaceus
|Marine||Marine Habitats • Aquariums • Global Oceans • Ocean Weather
|Vertebrate||Fishes • Mammals • Reptiles • Amphibians • Cartilaginous Fishes • Sharks
|Invertebrate||Arthropod • Mollusca • Echinoderms • Cnidaria
|Conservation Status||Critically Endangered • Endangered • Near Threatened • Vulnerable • Least Concern • Data Deficient • Not Evaluated|