298 UNDERWATER GUIDE TO MARINE LIFE 



Identification: The color is brown. The male has orange blotches and dusky- 

 margined fins, and the female is of a lighter color without dusky margins to 

 the fins. 



Habits: This delicious little food fish is found the year round on sandy shores. 



Similar Species: There are a number of species of this genus on the Atlantic 

 Coast, where they are called "whiffs." They are not usually over 6 inches long. 



PEACOCK flounder: Platophrys lunatus 



Size: Up to 18 inches. Mostly seen much smaller. 



Weight: Up to 2 pounds. 



Distribution: Florida and the West Indies. 



Identification: There are a number of attractive, small blue spots and larger 

 dark rings arranged in various patterns. The pectoral is very long and filamentous, 

 and the shape is like the eyed platefish. 



Habits: The spotted pattern of this fish gives excellent concealing coloration 

 in such places as limestone reefs. It is also found over sand. 



Similar Species: There are several turbots ranging in warm temperate and 

 tropical waters of both coasts which resemble this species. The authors have 

 seen the eyed platefish, Platophrys ocellatus Qcolor fhotograph\ lying in the 

 rocks of gorgonian beds. This fish is very well camouflaged, being distinguish- 

 able only when it moves. It reaches 8 inches and ranges from New York to 

 Brazil, but it is common only in the tropics. 



Fig. 179. Eyed platefish. 



SOLES: Family Soleidae 



These are the most specialized of flatfishes, represented on our shores bv a 

 few small species. The true English sole of Europe belongs to this familv. Manv 

 of the soles are of tropical distribution. None is arctic or north temperate. The 

 mouth is small and very asymmetrical. The eyes are very small and set close 

 together, and the body is very round (except for tonguefishes). Thcv arc usualh* 

 dextral. Soles are uncommon on the West Coast. 



HOG CHOKER SOLE: Acliiriis fasciatus 



Size: Up to 6 inches. 



Distribution: Cape Ann to the Gulf of Mexico. 



Identification: There is a pattern on both sides of the bodv. The blind side 

 is spotted with black, and the eyed side is crossed by dark lines. The pectoral 

 fins are tiny. 



