Flatfish and Similar Species
Pleuronectiformes
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Open the appSeveral fish can be confused with Flatfish. Here are the key differences.
Species often confused with {name}
Skates and Rays
Batoidea
Key differences: Skates and rays are cartilaginous fish (Chondrichthyes) with flattened bodies, but their flattening is dorso-ventral (top-to-bottom), not lateral (side-to-side) like flatfish. They have gill slits on their ventral surface and lack the eye migration characteristic of Pleuronectiformes.
Anglerfish (some benthic species)
Lophiiformes
Key differences: While some anglerfish are benthic and flattened, they retain bilateral symmetry in their eye placement and possess a prominent illicium (fishing lure) on their head, which is absent in flatfish. Their body shape is generally more globular or depressed rather than laterally compressed.
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