Scophthalmidae

noun

North Atlantic, Baltic, Mediterranean, Black seas. Eyes on left side; mouth large and lower jaw prominent. Both pelvic fin bases elongate. Egg with a single oil globule in the yolk. Maximum length about 1 m in Psetta maxima.

The family Scophthalmidae belongs to the Class Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes) and the Order Pleuronectiformes. It contains 5 genera and 18 species. It may be found in Marine and Brackish environments and is primarily Marine. Members of this family are not used in the aquarium trade. Reproductively, most members of this family are nonguarders. The main mode of swimming of adult fish in this family is anguilliform. Compared with other fish, the activity level of this family tends to be sluggish. Members of this family have been dated back to the Miocene epoch of the Tertiary period. Etymology of this family name: Greek, skopein = to look, watch + Greek, ophthalmos = eye