Caesionidae
Goldsash fusilier
Caesio xanthalytos
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.
Goldsash fusilier
Pomacanthidae
Goldspotted angelfish
Apolemichthys xanthopunctatus
Engraulidae
Goldspotted grenadier anchovy
Coilia dussumieri
Siganidae
Goldspotted spinefoot
Siganus punctatus
Leiognathidae
Goldstripe ponyfish
Karalla daura
Dorosomatidae
goldstripe sardinella
Sardinella gibbosa
Labridae
Goldstripe wrasse
Halichoeres zeylonicus
Pomacentridae
Goldtail demoiselle
Chrysiptera parasema
Myxinidae
Goliath hagfish
Eptatretus goliath
Apogonidae
Gon's cardinalfish
Archamia bleekeri
Dorosomatidae
Gon’s sardinella
Sardinella goni
Anthiadidae
Gorgeous swallowtail
Meganthias natalensis
Macrouridae
Graceful whiptail
Coelorinchus charius
Distichodontidae
Grass-eater
Distichodus rostratus
Distichodontidae
Grass-eaters
Ichthyborus monodi
Pomacanthidae
gray angelfish
Pomacanthus arcuatus
Acanthuridae
Gray unicornfish
Naso caesius
Engraulidae
Gray's grenadier anchovy
Coilia grayii
Epinephelidae
greasy grouper
Epinephelus tauvina
Sphyraenidae
great barracuda
Sphyraena barracuda
Pempheridae
Greater sweeper
Pempheris heemstraorum
Gobiidae
green bubble goby
Eviota prasina
Gobiidae
Green coral goby
Gobiodon histrio
Pseudochromidae
Green dottyback
Pseudochromis viridis
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.