Family Bothidae

Lefteye Flounders

Selected Characters: Body compressed; eyes and pigment usually sinistral; single lateral line present; pelvic fin base on eyed side longer than on the blind side.

Adult bothids have both eyes on the left (sinistral) side of the body and typically lie on their right side at the bottom, often covered in sediment. Young bothids, however, swim upright and are bilaterally symmetrical; they undergo metamorphosis at a length up to 120 mm (usually less than 25 mm). Bothids are found worldwide in temperate and tropical seas. Some species are capable of changing their color to match the substrate. They eat crustaceans as well as other fishes. There are at least 115 species recognized in this family, three of which occur in Puget Sound. The California Halibut can reach lengths up to 1.5 meters, though most bothids are much smaller. The sanddabs are common in Puget Sound, but the California Halibut is a rare visitor.

Puget Sound Species

Citharichthys sordidus Pacific Sanddab

Citharichthys stigmaeus Speckled Sanddab

Paralichthys californicus California Halibut