Summer Flounder
Paralichthys dentatus

This juvenile visitor to the bay is classified as a left-eyed flounder. Flounder have a compressed body shape and have developed to lay flat on the bottom to wait for their prey. The eyes of the flounder have migrated from one side of the fish to the other as it develops. Some species of flat fish have both eyes on the right side. This fish has an unusual counter shading with little or no pigmentation on the right side and color changing cells called chromatophores on the left side. Like an underwater chameleon, the flounder can change its color with its surroundings.