Pleuronectiformes

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Pleuronectiformes is an order of ray-finned fishes commonly known as flatfishes, which includes flounders, soles, and halibuts characterized by their laterally compressed bodies and both eyes on one side of the head.

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Statements (49)

Predicate Object
instanceOf order of fishes
taxonomic order
bodyShape laterally compressed
bodySideOrientation blind side usually pale
eyed side usually pigmented
camouflage ability to change coloration to match substrate in many species
cryptic coloration on upper side
characteristic asymmetrical skull in adults
benthic lifestyle
both eyes on one side of the head in adults
metamorphosis from symmetrical larva to asymmetrical juvenile
class Actinopterygii
commercialUse sold fresh, frozen, and processed as fillets
commonName flatfishes
containsFamily Bothidae
Cynoglossidae
Paralichthyidae
Pleuronectidae
Scophthalmidae
Soleidae
diet benthic invertebrates
small fishes
distribution especially in temperate and cold waters
worldwide in oceans
ecologicalNiche demersal fishes
economicImportance important commercial fisheries resources
important for human consumption
eggType pelagic eggs in many species
eyeMigration one eye migrates to opposite side during development
feedingType carnivorous
finType ray-finned
habitat brackish waters
marine waters
some freshwater environments
includesCommonGroup flounders
halibuts
soles
infraclass Teleostei
kingdom Animalia
locomotion undulating body and fins
orderAuthority Charles Lucien Bonaparte
phylum Chordata
reproduction external fertilization
sensoryAdaptation well-developed lateral line in many species
skeleton bony fishes
subclass Neopterygii
substrateAssociation often lie on seafloor
swimBladder present in many species but reduced in some
threats overfishing for some species

Referenced by (1)

Full triples — surface form annotated when it differs from this entity's canonical label.

Actinopterygii includesOrder Pleuronectiformes