Hobbies And Interests

List of Demersal Flatfish

Synonymous with "bottom-feeding," the term "demersal" may refer to any number of benthic -- resting on the sea floor -- and benthopelagic -- floating in the water -- species of fish that live in shallow waters or on the seabed, as well as crustaceans and cephalopods. Flatfish are an order of ray-finned benthic demersal fish.
  1. Flounder

    • There are four families of flounder that comprise approximately 100 species.

      When flounder hatch, they have one eye on each side of their heads as usual. However, as they grow, one eye migrates so that upon reaching adulthood, flounder have both eyes on one side. This allows them to lie on their side on the ocean floor. Like many benthic fishes, flounder are ambush feeders. This means that they camouflage themselves against the sand, lie in wait and attack when a food source happens by. They feed mainly on crustaceans and small fish.

    Halibut

    • Halibut are the largest type of flatfish, growing up to 8 feet in length and 700 lbs. in weight. Like the flounder, they have both eyes on one side. Their whitish underside allows them to blend in with the sky when viewed from below and their dark upper side camouflages them against the ocean bottom. They're strong swimmers and eat a variety of other fish and sea life, including crabs, cod and pollock.

    Sole

    • The sole's main defense mechanism, aside from the usual demersal flatfish tendency to blend in with the sand and hunt by ambush, is the slimy substance it excretes when caught. This makes it difficult for predators to get a good hold on it. Sole have small mouths and feed mainly on small invertebrates, though adults may also eat bivalves and small crustaceans. Female sole migrate from deep water in winter to shallower water during the summer; males may also migrate but will do so to a lesser extent.

    Plaice

    • An important food source in Europe, often as the fish in the ubiquitous "fish and chips," the plaice is uniformly white on one side and dark with white spots on the side where its eyes are found. It has blunt yet strong teeth, which it uses to crush the shells of the crustaceans and mollusks on which it feeds. Plaice are known to grow up to 3 feet long and 15 lbs. in weight.


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