Dinematichthyidae
Bigeye cusk
Alionematichthys riukiuensis
FISH SPECIES
Flat-bodied Fish
Compare fish with laterally compressed, dorsoventrally depressed or asymmetrical body plans across habitats.
FISH ATLAS / FIELD GUIDEFlat FishIN THIS CHAPTER01 / Characteristics02 / Lifestyle03 / Species04 / Field notes
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01 / NATURAL HISTORY
Characteristics
Flattened body forms represent two distinct evolutionary paths: laterally compressed forms engineered for agility in narrow vertical spaces, and dorsoventrally depressed or asymmetrical forms specialized for living flush against the ocean floor.
- 01Laterally compressed maneuvering
- 02Dorsoventrally flattened resting
- 03Benthic sediment concealment
02 / LIFESTYLE
Lifestyle
Laterally compressed fishes like butterflyfishes and batfishes orient vertically to dart through intricate reef branches, using broad median fins to execute instantaneous, low-radius pivot turns. In stark contrast, depressed rays and asymmetrical flatfishes bury beneath sediment with only elevated eyes exposed, remaining completely motionless until striking passing prey from underneath.
OBSERVATION INDEX
- Zero-radius turns in structural cover
- Sediment concealment with raised eyes
- Undulatory pectoral propulsion on bottoms
03 / SPECIES
Representative species
Discover representative species illustrating the ecological diversity, morphologies and adaptations of this group.
Bigeye cusk
Gobiidae
Bigeye Goby
Palatogobius grandoculus
Pristigasteridae
Bigeye ilisha
Ilisha megaloptera
Lampridae
Bigeye Pacific Opah
Lampris megalopsis
Carangidae
bigeye scad
Selar crumenophthalmus
Holocentridae
bigeye soldierfish
Ostichthys trachypoma
Sciaenidae
Bigeye stardrum
Stellifer musicki
Pempheridae
Bigeye sweeper
Pempheris megalops
Carangidae
bigeye trevally
Caranx sexfasciatus
Pristigasteridae
Bigeyed longfin herring
Opisthopterus macrops
Haemulidae
Biglip grunt
Plectorhinchus macrolepis
Gobiidae
Bigmouth shrimpgoby
Myersina macrostoma
Sciaenidae
Bigmouth stardrum
Stellifer collettei
Engraulidae
bigscale anchovy
Anchovia macrolepidota
Dorosomatidae
Bigscale pellonuline
Microthrissa congica
Holocentridae
bigscale soldierfish
Myripristis berndti
Bramidae
bigtooth pomfret
Brama orcini
Dorosomatidae
Bigtoothed pellonula
Pellonula vorax
Labridae
bird wrasse
Gomphosus varius
Blenniidae
Biting blenny
Plagiotremus goslinei
Salmonidae
Biwa Trout
Oncorhynchus biwaensis
Lutjanidae
black and white snapper
Macolor niger
Gerreidae
black axillary mojarra
Eugerres axillaris
Adrianichthyidae
Black buntingi
Oryzias nigrimas
04 / FIELD NOTES
A closer look
What is the evolutionary difference between a ray and a flounder?
A ray is a cartilaginous fish flattened from top to bottom (dorsoventrally depressed) with eyes on top and gill slits on the underside; a flounder is a bony fish that lies on its side, whose eye migrates during larval development to make the body asymmetrical.
Why do disk-shaped fish like angelfish and discus have tall bodies?
A laterally compressed disc shape provides high vertical stability and exceptional turning agility, allowing fish to twist into narrow vertical crevices and maneuver between tangled roots or coral branches without losing control.