The family Bothidae, also known as the left-eye flounders, is a group of flatfish that are found in the shallow waters of the world’s oceans. Flatfish are a type of fish that are characterized by their flattened body shape and their ability to swim on one side of their body. They are adapted to life on the ocean floor, and they are often found lying on their side, with one eye on top of their body and the other eye on the bottom.
Left-eye flounders are named for the fact that the eye on the top side of their body is typically located on the left side of their head. This adaptation allows them to blend in with the ocean floor and to hide from predators while they are waiting to ambush their prey.
The peacock flounder (Bothus lunatus) is a species of left-eye flounder that is found in the tropical and subtropical waters of the western Atlantic Ocean, including the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea. It is a small to medium-sized fish, typically reaching a maximum length of about 30 cm (12 inches).
The peacock flounder has a flat, elongated body with both eyes located on the left side of the head. Its body is typically brown or gray in color, with numerous small, iridescent blue or green spots or blotches that give it its common name. It has a pair of small, protruding eyes that are located high on its head, which helps it see prey in the dimly lit waters where it lives.