Microdesmidae
Navigobius dewa
Navigobius dewa
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.
Navigobius dewa
Cyprinidae
Nematabramis alestes
Nematabramis alestes
Caristiidae
Neocaristius heemstrai
Neocaristius heemstrai
Zenarchopteridae
Nomorhamphus kolonodalensis
Nomorhamphus kolonodalensis
Zenarchopteridae
Nomorhamphus rex
Nomorhamphus rex
Nothobranchiidae
Nothobranchius derhami
Nothobranchius derhami
Nothobranchiidae
Nothobranchius lucius
Nothobranchius lucius
Gobiidae
Odontamblyopus lacepedii
Odontamblyopus lacepedii
Gobiidae
Odontamblyopus rebecca
Odontamblyopus rebecca
Crenuchidae
Odontocharacidium varii
Odontocharacidium varii
Adrianichthyidae
Oryzias songkhramensis
Oryzias songkhramensis
Apogonidae
Ostorhinchus ishigakiensis
Ostorhinchus ishigakiensis
Cepolidae
Owstonia contodon
Owstonia contodon
Cepolidae
Owstonia taeniosoma
Owstonia taeniosoma
Bembridae
Parabembras curta
Parabembras curta
Caristiidae
Paracaristius nudarcus
Paracaristius nudarcus
Distichodontidae
Paradistichodus dimidiatus
Paradistichodus dimidiatus
Liparidae
Paraliparis hawaiiensis
Paraliparis hawaiiensis
Liparidae
Paraliparis pseudokreffti
Paraliparis pseudokreffti
Mormyridae
Paramormyrops kingsleyae
Paramormyrops kingsleyae
Pinguipedidae
Parapercis colemani
Parapercis colemani
Cyprinidae
Parapsilorhynchus alluriensis
Parapsilorhynchus alluriensis
Synagropidae
Parascombrops mochizukii
Parascombrops mochizukii
Synagropidae
Parascombrops nakayamai
Parascombrops nakayamai
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.