Ophidiidae
Whitespot cusk-eel
Lepophidium crossotum
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.
Whitespot cusk-eel
Pomacentridae
Whitespot damsel
Pomacentrus albimaculus
Cirrhitidae
Whitespot hawkfish
Paracirrhites hemistictus
Holocentridae
Whitespot soldierfish
Myripristis woodsi
Epinephelidae
Whitespotted grouper
Epinephelus coeruleopunctatus
Acanthuridae
whitespotted surgeonfish
Acanthurus guttatus
Pomacentridae
Whitetail chromis
Pycnochromis leucurus
Pomacentridae
whitetail damselfish
Pomacentrus albicaudatus
Pomacentridae
whitetail damselfish
Stegastes leucorus
Pomacentridae
Whitetail dascyllus
Dascyllus aruanus
Macrouridae
Whitetail whiptail
Nezumia leucoura
Holocentridae
Whitetip soldierfish
Myripristis vittata
Mullidae
White’s goatfish
Upeneus willwhite
Pomacentridae
Whitley's sergeant
Abudefduf whitleyi
Pomacentridae
Wide-band Anemonefish
Amphiprion latezonatus
Caesionidae
wide-band fusilier
Pterocaesio lativittata
Bothidae
Wide-mouthed flounder
Kamoharaia megastoma
Mullidae
Williams’s Goatfish
Parupeneus williamsi
Gobiidae
Wilson's goby
Mugilogobius wilsoni
Engraulidae
Wingfin anchovy
Pterengraulis atherinoides
Stomiidae
Wingfin snaggletooth
Heterophotus ophistoma
Balistidae
Wingkeel Triggerfish
Xenobalistes tumidipectoris
Apogonidae
wolf cardinalfish
Cheilodipterus artus
Gobiidae
Wolfsnout goby
Luposicya lupus
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.