Animal Profiles
Fish

Flounder

Pleuronectiformes

Living

Living individuals or members of this group exist today. This does not mean they are safe from extinction.

Flounders are flattened fishes adapted to life near the bottom. This account describes the European flounder, which moves between coastal waters, estuaries and, in some places, rivers.

European flounder (Platichthys flesus) photographed against a dark background.

European flounder (Platichthys flesus) photographed against a dark background.

Hans Hillewaert · CC BY-SA

At a glance

Location
Platichthys flesus is the representative used here. It inhabits eastern Atlantic coastal and brackish waters around Europe and neighbouring seas. Mud and sand provide resting and feeding grounds.
Habitat
Coast, Rivers and lakes
Diet
Carnivore
Food
Adults eat bottom-living animals, including small fishes and invertebrates.

Classification

Common name
Flounder
Browse group
Fish
Scientific name or taxon
Pleuronectiformes
Taxon rank
order
Order
Pleuronectiformes
Source classification
Actinopterygii

Taxonomy checked against GBIF. For breeds and hybrids, this describes the listed parent taxon.

Three things to know

  • Both eyes are usually on the right.
  • Some individuals have reversed eye placement.
  • Young fish use shallow nursery waters.

Habitat and range

Platichthys flesus is the representative used here. It inhabits eastern Atlantic coastal and brackish waters around Europe and neighbouring seas. Mud and sand provide resting and feeding grounds.

Appearance and adaptations

Both eyes usually lie on the right side of the flattened body, although reversed individuals occur. The upper surface is olive or greenish with variable reddish spots; the underside is pale.

Diet and behaviour

Adults eat bottom-living animals, including small fishes and invertebrates. They often feed at night and can bury themselves in sediment. Offshore spawning areas and shallow juvenile nurseries support different life stages.

Sources

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