Flounder

The flounder that lives on the ocean floor has eyes that are entirely above, on the same side, and defies the law of symmetry. Flounder skin color may vary to elude predators or disguise prey, in addition to their unusual eyes. The upper skin is often dark brown, like muck, while the bottom skin is white, like light shining into water. They lie on the seafloor, their tiny bodies hidden behind a layer of sand with just their eyes visible. It protects them from predators while allowing them to ambush food such as shrimp, worms, and fish larvae.

When they are larvae, flounders have one eye on each side of their heads. One eye moves to the other side as they metamorphose, bringing both eyes together. This is how they can swim and conceal themselves while officially on their sides, with both eyes gazing up.

Distribution: Found at the bottom of oceans around the world; some species will also enter estuaries
Size: 20cm to 60cm