Narrative

Windowpane flounder, brill, or spotted flounder (Scophthalmus aquosus) is found from southern Canada south to northern Florida. This up to 18 inch flounder shows numerous darker spots. The fin rays near the head are not supported all the way with the fin. When viewed from above this flounder has an almost round outline. McClane notes this is edible, but he also notes this is a very thin fish that can show light through its body when held to the sun.

This lifeform is marine and found only in salt water.

This lifeform is found in the western Atlantic Ocean (near North America.)

Flounders when hatched, have eyes on each side of their head. However, in this family, they lean to right, and end up with a flat bottom with two eyes on top. The long anal and long dorsal fin gives these fish a long fin along each side of the flattened body. Most species occur in shallow water near coasts. Many sport and commerical fish are in this family. There are about 30 different species found along the Atlantic Coast of North America.

Flatfish Group, Order Pleuronectiformes, are a group of primarily marine fish that undergo some unusual changes in body shape as the fish leave the juvenile state. One of the eyes moves around to one side, and the fish have a superficial resemblance to rays and skates in that they are flat and can live on the bottom. There are about 600 species in this order.

There are 7 families. Included in this order are the right-eyed flounders (Family Pleuronectidae), the left eyed flounders (Family Bothidae), the large tooth flounders (Family Paralichthyidae), and the true soles (Family Soleidae).

Bony fish, Class Teleostomi, are a class of chordates that include the majority of fish-like animals found on earth. They are characterized by a bony jaw and a bony skeleton. They are found in both fresh and marine waters.

Backboned Animals (Phylum Chordata) are the most advanced group of animals on earth. These animals are characterized by having a spinal cord or backbone. Most members have a clearly defined brain that controls the organism through a spinal cord. Fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals are in this phylum.

Currently, some taxonomists believe that the fish should be divided into two groups (sharks and regular fishes) and that there are some other primitive groups in the phylum such as hagfish or lampreys.