Flatfishes

The length of the planktonic stage varies between different types of flatfishes, but eventually they begin to metamorphose into the adult form.

The side of the body without the eyes, facing the seabed, is usually colourless or very pale. citation In general, flatfishes rely on their camouflage for avoiding predators, but some have conspicuous eyespots (e.

The taxonomy of some groups is in need of a review, as the last monograph covering the entire order was John Roxborough Norman 's Monograph of the Flatfishes published in 1934.