122 DIVISION OF FISH AND GAME 



FLATFISHES 

 Members of Order Heterosomata 



Relationship: All flatfish belong to one or another of the several families com- 

 prising the order Heterosomata. The commercial species of California are members of 

 either the flounder family, Pleuronectidae, or the tiirbot family, Bothidae. Most of 

 the fish called sole and tiirbot in California, the starry flounder and the Pacific halibut 

 are in the flounder family, while the sand dabs, the California halibut and the fantail 

 and bigraouth soles are in the turbot family. The only "true" sole ever seen in the 

 commercial catch, the tongue sole, is of no economic importance. 



Distinguishing Characters: Flatfish, except when they are very young, are at 

 once distinguished by having both eyes on the same side of the head. They are hatched 

 with an eye on each side, but one soon migrates and the fish take on their typical 

 adult form. The eyed side of the body is colored and the blind side white or nearly 

 white. Turbots (Bothidae) typically have the eyes on the left side, while flounders 

 (Pleuronectidae) typically have them on the right. However, three of our common 

 species, the California halibut, the fantail sole and the starry flounder, may have the 

 eyes on either the right or the left side. 



SOLE 



Relationship: None of the species sold under this name in California is a true 

 sole. They have, however, been called sole for many years, and the name was officially 

 adopted because of this long-standing common usage. All the important commercial 

 species belong to the flounder family, Pleuronectidae. Two minor species, the fantail 

 and bigmouth soles, belong to family Bothidae. 



Fishing Season: Throughout the year with fluctuations in catch apparently 

 due to economic rather than biological factors. 



Importance: Soles ranked twelfth in total poundage and fourteenth in value 

 in 1946, supporting one of the most important market fisheries in the State. The 

 entire catch was sold fresh until 1947 when part of the Central California catch was 

 canned. Eureka is the leading port of landing, followed by San Francisco. Monterey 

 and Santa Barbara handle a small percentage of the catch. 



Fishing Gear: Primarily otter trawls; some hook and line. 



TURBOT 



Relationship: The California turbots do not belong to the true turbot family 

 (Bothidae) but to the flounder family, Pleuronectidae. As with sole, the name was 

 adopted officially because of common usage. 



Fishing Season: Irregularly throughout the year. 



Importance: Of minor commercial importance, forming a small proportion of 

 the State's flatfish catch. Eureka, San Francisco and Santa Barbara are the chief 

 ports of landing. 



Fishing Gear: Otter trawls; some hook and line. 



