Nelson, J.S., 1994

Pleuronectiformes flatfishes

Teleostei

Tetraodontiformes 15 M years

Carroll, R., 1988  |  Helfman, G., B. Collette and D. Facey, 1997

late Tertiary

Marine

Fresh

Brackish

Adults not bilaterally symmetrical, with one eye migrating to the other side of the cranium; dorsal and anal fins with long bases, dorsal fin base overlapping at least the neurocranium except in Psettodes; body highly compressed, somewhat rounded on eyed side and flat on blind side; eyes can protrude above body surface allowing fish to see when buried in the substrate; usually six or seven branchiostegal rays, rarely eight; body cavity small; adults almost always without swim bladder; scales cycloid, ctenoid, or tuberculate. About four species probably occur in freshwater, while another 20 species that are normally marine occasionally enter freshwater.

Greek aktis = ray, thunderbolt, beam + Greek pterygion, diminutive of pteryx = wing, fin. Ref. 45335.

Greek, pleura = similar, ribe, side + Greek, nektos = to swim + Latin, forma = shape. 1849 (Ref. 45335).

( n = 16 )
Achiridae Achiropsettidae Bothidae Citharidae Cyclopsettidae Cynoglossidae Oncopteridae Paralichthodidae Paralichthyidae Pleuronectidae Poecilopsettidae Psettodidae Rhombosoleidae Samaridae Scophthalmidae Soleidae

Ref.
[ e.g. 9948 ]      

Glossary
      [ e.g. oophagy ]