The Witch Flounder (Glyptocephalus cynoglossus) is a marine (saltwater) fish in the Pleuronectidae family of flatfish. It is also known as the Righteye Flounder, the Torbay Sole, or the Grey Sole.
The Witch Flounder is a right-eyed flatfish, with a thin and laterally compressed, round brownish-grey body. On its upper side—its right-eyed side—it is often mottled in colour. It is white with small black spots on its under side—its blind side. It has a small head and a small mouth. It has a single series of small incisor-like teeth. There is a short, sharp spine pointing forward in front of its bottom fin.
It is called Righteye because its right eye is on the top (back) of its body. Therefore, from above, only one eye can be seen.
It grows to about 40 centimetres (16 inches) long. It grows slowly.
The Witch Flounder is native to the North Atlantic Ocean, from Norway and Russia to America. It prefers muddy sea floors in deep water. It is a benthic fish because it lives on the bottom of the ocean.
It feeds on invertebrates, such as crabs, sea stars, molluscs, and worms.
The female lays thousands of eggs, which take about 7 days to hatch. The eggs hatch into larvae. As the larvae grows, its left eye moves from the side to the back of its head
The lifespan of the Witch Flounder is about 14 years.
Location of photographs: Aquarium de Paris-Cinéaqua
Photographer: Martina Nicolls
Martina Nicolls: SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM