Wide-eyed Flounder

Overview

The Wide-eyed Flounder is a distinctively flattened, left-eyed flatfish commonly found in the Mediterranean Sea and the eastern Atlantic Ocean. It is a bottom-dwelling species known for its remarkable ability to camouflage against sandy and muddy substrates to ambush prey.

Distribution & habitat

This species inhabits temperate coastal waters, ranging from the Mediterranean and Adriatic Seas to the eastern Atlantic coast, including the Azores, Madeira, the Canary Islands, and the African coastline down to Angola. It typically resides on sandy or mixed bottoms, often near seagrass beds, and may move to deeper waters during colder months.

Appearance

As a sinistral flatfish, both eyes are located on the left side of its oval-shaped body. The species exhibits notable sexual dimorphism; males are generally larger than females and possess a significantly wider space between their eyes, sometimes featuring a small spine. Their coloration is highly variable, ranging from light brown to dark violet, often patterned with spots to mimic the surrounding seafloor.

Biology & behavior

Wide-eyed Flounders are solitary and primarily nocturnal. They spend much of their time resting on or partially buried in the sediment. When threatened, they can instantly bury themselves to disappear from view. Males are territorial and may display aggressive behavior toward competitors, while females tend to occupy smaller, overlapping territories.

Feeding

This predator is an opportunistic hunter that feeds on small benthic fishes and various invertebrates, including crustaceans and polychaete worms.

Reproduction

Spawning typically occurs between May and August. The species follows a haremic mating system where a dominant male guards several females. During courtship, the pair rises into the water column to release gametes simultaneously before returning to the substrate.