Eyed Flounder

Bothus ocellatus

Unlike other fish that lie flat on their stomachs, flounders lie on their side flat as a pancake, with both eyes on the top-"side" of their head. Flounders are not born that way, however. The young swim upright, just like other fish, with one eye on each side of it's head. As the fish matures and starts swimming sideways along the surfaces of the sea floor, the bottom-side eye slowly migrates over so BOTH eyes end up on the "top-side" of it's head.
Juveniles can be found in water as shallow as 2 feet in areas of sand, rock and rubble.  They will lie motionless, relying on camouflage and only move when feeling threatened. Then they will swim away in a wave-like gliding motion over the bottom, only to stop again a moderate distance away. Fish in shallow water will be in the 6-10 inch size.

Eyed Flounder - Bothus ocellatus - USVI Caribbean
Eyed Flounder - Bothus ocellatus - USVI Caribbean
Eyed Flounder - Bothus ocellatus - USVI Caribbean
 
 

If you have found this site useful, educational or fun, please consider lending your support to it's continuation.
Help keep this site advertisement free by making a donation through PayPal.
I would appreciate your support.