Guide
to the Coastal Resources of Guam: Vol. 1
THE FISHES
Steven S. AMESBURY Robert F. MYERS
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BOTHIDAE (LEFT-EYED FLOUNDERS) Post-larval flounders look like normal fishes, but soon after settling on the bottom their right eye migrates to the left side of the body, the side which is pigmented and faces up. Three species are known from shallow inshore waters of Guam. In addition, three species of soles (Family Soleidae), which have both eyes on the right side of the body, are known from shallow waters of Guam. All flatfishes are carnivores and generally inhabit sandy bottoms, some living in the deepest parts of the ocean.
This species is a relatively common, but easily overlooked, inhabitant of sandy areas of reef flats, lagoons, and outer reef slopes. It may occasionally be found resting on smooth, bare rock substrates and has been collected as deep as 84 m. In a similar species, B. pantherinus, the lower eye is never completely in front of the upper eye as it is in B. mancus individuals larger than 15 cm, and the various flower-like markings on the dorsal surface generally lack the blue borders characteristic of B. mancus. In both species males develop greatly elongate upper pectoral rays and a wider space between the eyes than do similar-sized females. Both species feed on small benthic crustaceans and fishes. INDO-PACIFIC: E. Africa to Ducie and Hawaii, s. to
Lord Howe, n. to the Ryukyus.
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