Flatfish & more

Dorsal fins close together, anal fin lines up with first dorsal fin

Atherinops affinis

Dorsal fins are far apart, start of anal fin is behind the first dorsal fin

Atherinopsis californiensis

Teardrop marking under eye, male specimens have gonopodium

Gambusia affinis

Lateral line is deeply curved, stitch markings are along the end of the lateral line

Trachurus symmetricus

Sinistral flatfish, pectoral fin reaches eye when folded over

Citarichthys sordidus

Sinistral flatfish, pectoral fin does not reach eye when folded over

Citarichthys stigmaeus

Flatfish that may be sinistral or dextral with arched lateral line and a hook on its jaw

Paralichthys californicus

Dextral flatfish with an arched lateral line, no hook on its jaw

Hippoglossus stenolepis

Dextral flatfish with a large mouth, its eye is visible from the blind side

Atheresthes stomias

Dextral flatfish with 2 rows of large teeth, black membranes on fins, eye NOT visible from blind side

Eopsetta jordani

Dextral flatfish with long, pointy curved pectorals with black tips

Glyptocephalus zachirus

Flatfish that may be sinistral or dextral with black bands on its fins

Platichthys stellatus

Dextral flatfish with a skinny elongated body and a hook on its jaw

Lyopsetta exilis

Dextral flatfish with large googly eyes, its dorsal fin does not extend past its mouth on its blind side

Pleuronichthys coenosus

Dextral flatfish with large googly eyes, its dorsal fin on the blind side extends past mouth about 9-12 rays

Pleuronichthys decurrens

Dextral flatfish, its eye is visible from the blind side because of its pointed convex snout

Parophrys vetulus

Dextral flatfish, it has free crest-like dorsal rays at the start of its dorsal fin

Psettichthys melanostictus

Dextral flatfish, it has rounded pectoral fins with black tips, the edges of its dorsal and anal fins are black

Microstomus pacificus