Phylum: Chordata

Superclass: Gnathostomata

Class: Actinopterygii

Order: Pleuronectiformes

 

Norwegian: flatfisk

(Bjørnøya - Sør-Trøndelag / 25 meters / 10.14.2001)

There are three families of flatfish along the coast of Norway; the right eyed flounders (Pleuronectidae) and soles (Soleidae) and the mostly left eyed topknots (Scophthalmidae).

All flatfishes live close to the bottom. They demonstrate an extreme adaptation to this life. When the larvae transform into small fishes, one of the eyes moves to the other side of the head. A right eyed flounder ends up with the eyes on the right side when the fish is placed upright with the mouth down.