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September 1, 2023  |  By Ben Ivers

Pacific Peacock Flounder

Pacific Peacock Flounder Live

Pacific Peacock Flounder - IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern

The Kaneohe Sandbar can turn into a beach with the right tides!

We were nearly three hours into a day of kayaking when we decided to hop out of the boat for a snorkel. Jill and I were paddling in Kaneohe Bay, which is home to the famous Kaneohe Sandbar. With the right tidal conditions this peculiar sandbar has been known to turn to beach, even though it sits two miles from shore! Imagine kayaking straight out to sea from the beach for more than 30 minutes only to find yourself in a foot of water when you step out of the boat.

Harlequin Blue Sea Goddess

After experiencing the sandbar, we paddled to the southeast where the map showed a series of shallow reefs. During that part of the trip, we saw a half dozen green sea turtles, or “honus”, that were following the same heading. They are so fun to watch as they pop up their heads for the occasional gulp of air. We had been given an anchor as part of our boat rental. When we made it to one of the reef patches, we found a sandy area and laid anchor. On first entering the water, I saw an Opheodesoma spectabilis, or conspicuous sea cucumber, which is one of the oddest-looking sea creatures that I’ve ever seen. (Stay tuned for next month’s gallery when this marine species will be featured!)

As Jill and I were wrapping up our snorkel of this reef, I saw the sand below me begin to move. I quickly realized that it wasn’t the sand moving, but instead a really well camouflaged Pacific peacock flounder. This fish a part of the lefteye flounders family because both of the fish’s eyes are on the left hand side of their heads. Interestingly, when they are young, their eyes are on both sides of their heads, but as they mature, the right eye will shift to the left side of the body. Their eyes are raised up on short stumps, and they can control the movement of the eyes independently. This gives the Pacific peacock flounder a wide range of visibility.

Purple Spotted Sea Goddess

The Pacific peacock flounder is found in shallow waters in the Indo-Pacific and in warmer parts of the East Pacific. Their scientific name is Bothus mancus, and they also go by the common name flowery flounder. This common name comes from the flower-like bluish spots that cover their body. All flounders are able to change their skin color to camouflage themselves within their environment. They use this capability to hid from both predators and prey. When they can, they will crawly using their fins on the seafloor instead of swimming to further aid in their camouflaging.

How do they change their colors? The camouflage process is not well understood. What we do know is that it involves both the flounder’s vision and its hormones. They release different pigments to the surface of the its skin cells while leaving some of the cells white by sequestering those pigments.

The Pacific peacock flounder chan change the color of its skin

Did you know?

  • A study showed that Pacific peacock flounders can change their coloration in just eight seconds.
  • If one of a Pacific peacock flounder’s eyes if damaged they have trouble matching the colors of their surroundings.
This Month's Gallery
camouflage diving fish Hawaii macro ocean underwater

Article by Ben Ivers

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Matt Hamas and Ben Ivers here. We are focused on fostering a greater understanding and appreciation of the environment. We endeavor to bring you a unique perspective of the wild. Our photos are being placed here for you to enjoy. Please feel free to download any of the photos for your personal use. We are currently seeking partners for printing and developing photos.

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