Flatfish is the name of a large group of valuable food fishes that includes the halibut, flounder, and sole. Flatfishes live in salt water and are found worldwide. There are hundreds of species (kinds). Flatfishes have a body that appears to be flattened horizontally. The fish actually lies on its side, with both eyes on the same side of the head. When the flatfish is first hatched, it looks like any other kind of fish. But after it has grown from 1/2 to 3/4 inch (13 to 19 millimeters) long, one eye begins to move closer to the eye on the opposite side of the head, and the mouth becomes twisted. The eyeless side of the fish stays under and loses its color. The upper side becomes darker. The fish then becomes colored to blend with its surroundings.
