Peeking at peacock flounders

Peacock flounder are voracious predators that rely on camouflage to hide from their prey.  They can rapidly darken, pale, or change color to match their surroundings. We encounter them on virtually every dive, and occasionally see them capturing little fish. They have blue spots on the head and fins, and blue rosettes over the body.  As with all flatfish, early in their development, one eye has migrated so that both eyes are on the same (top) side of the fish.

These photos were taken with natural light at depths of 15 to 30 feet.  The flounder were 8 to 10 inches long.

The flounder is facing to the lower right

Close up of  the top of the head

Close up of eyes and mouth (center)

View from above, fish is facing towards lower left

A different habitat and a different color

Changing color again, as it moves over the sand