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Flatfishes
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Commerson's
sole
Synaptura commersoniana
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Tiny
juvenile flatfishes are sometimes seen by the eagle-eyed visitor in
the sandy parts of the seagrass lagoon. These may be as tiny as 2cm
long. Larger adults (20-40cm) are sometimes seen too.
Single-sided Fish: When it first hatches, a sole larva
looks like the larva of other ‘normal’ fish. As the larva matures,
it starts to swim on one side of its body, and one eye and the mouth
move to the upperside. The change may be completed within five days.
There are also changes in the skeleton and digestive system. The blind
side tends to be paler, while the eyed-side has camouflaging colours
and patterns. Some species are banded like a zebra on the eyed side!
Here is a fascinating photo
of flounder larva and of
flatfish hatching on Image
Quest 3-D Marine Library
Best on the bottom: Adapted for
life on the sea bottom, the sole is not a fast swimmer. Most species
are found in coastal waters. When it does swim, the sole hovers close
to the ground by undulating the fins that borders its body.
Sole food: The adult is an ambush
predator. It usually lies just beneath the sediment or sand, with
only its eyes sticking out. It snaps up small bottom-dwelling worms,
bivalves, crabs and prawns.
Sole babies: Some soles can reproduce
quickly, doubling in population in less than 15 months.
Human uses: Soles are found from
Europe to Australia and Japan. These fishes are edible and some species
are important commercially. Soles are said to retain their flavour
for days. Commerson's sole (Synaptura commersonnii) is found
from the Red Sea to the Malay archipelago. It is sold in markets fresh,
frozen and dried-salted.
More fascinating flat facts: The
Order Pleuronectiformes include other fishes which are flat and with
eyes on one side of their body. If the right eye migrates to the left
side, the flatfish is left-eyed (sinistral). If the left eye migrates
to the right side, the fish is right-eyed (dextral). Left-eyed flatfish
are from the Family Bothidae (flounders). Right-eyed flatfish include
the Family Pleuronectidae (flounders); Family Soleidae (true soles)
and Family Cynoglossidae (tonguefish). |
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One-sided view
The eyes of a sole
are found on only
one side of the fish!
Tongue-sole
Family Cynoglossidae
Peacock sole Pardachirus
pavoninus
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quick
facts
Juveniles 4-6cm, adults 20-40cm, sometimes seen in the seagrass
lagoon
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