Pseudochromidae
Gold-browed dottyback
Pictichromis aurifrons
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.
Gold-browed dottyback
Gobiidae
Gold-marked shrimpgoby
Vanderhorstia auronotata
Pseudochromidae
Gold-ring Dottyback
Pseudochromis oligochrysus
Caesionidae
goldband fusilier
Pterocaesio capricornis
Caesionidae
goldband fusilier
Pterocaesio chrysozona
Pomacentridae
Goldbelly damsel
Pomacentrus auriventris
Epinephelidae
goldblotch grouper
Epinephelus costae
Pomacanthidae
Golden angelfish
Centropyge aurantia
Chaetodontidae
Golden butterflyfish
Chaetodon aureofasciatus
Pomacentridae
Golden Damselfish
Amblyglyphidodon aureus
Serrasalmidae
golden mylossoma
Mylossoma aureum
Leiognathidae
Golden ponyfish
Photopectoralis aureus
Siganidae
Golden Rabbitfish
Siganus guttatus
Atherinopsidae
Golden silverside
Labidesthes vanhyningi
Gobiidae
Golden Sulawesi Goby
Mugilogobius rexi
Pempheridae
Golden sweeper
Parapriacanthus ransonneti
Carangidae
golden trevally
Gnathanodon speciosus
Cyprinidae
Golden-line barbel
Sinocyclocheilus grahami
Siganidae
Golden-lined spinefoot
Siganus lineatus
Labridae
golden-spot-hogfish
Bodianus perditio
Chaetodontidae
Goldengirdled coralfish
Coradion chrysozonus
Grammistidae
goldenstriped soapfish
Grammistes sexlineatus
Cyprinidae
Goldie barb
Enteromius pallidus
Labridae
Goldlined coris
Coris aurilineata
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.