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Story: Coastal fish

Black flounder, Fiordland

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Black flounder, Fiordland

The black flounder (Rhombosolea retiaria) is a coastal species that also lives in fresh water. It is a member of the flatfish family, Pleuronectidae, also known as right-eyed flounders. The eyes are on the right side of the head (the left side is on the underside). Black flounder live on the muddy or sandy estuary floor and feed on bottom-living invertebrates. It has red-brown spots and black blotches on its underside.

Using this item

Department of Conservation

Reference: 10048525

by W. Farelly

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How to cite this page

Carl Walrond, Coastal fish – Shallow-water fish, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/8814/black-flounder-fiordland (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Carl Walrond, published 2 March 2009.