ExploreFish

Turbot

Scophthalmus maximus

Turbot is a flat fish that has a thick body and is known for its delicious taste. They live on the seabed and love to hide!

Habitat: Ocean floor

Appearance

The Turbot has a unique, almost circular or diamond-shaped, very flat body. Its skin is mottled brown, grey, or greenish, often covered in bony, wart-like tubercles. Both eyes are on its left, upper side, allowing it to rest camouflaged on the seafloor.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassActinopterygiiOrderPleuronectiformesFamilyScophthalmidaeGenusScophthalmus

Turbot

Interesting facts

As they grow, one eye actually travels over their head to the other side! Wow!

Did you know Turbot start life swimming upright, just like regular fish?

These fish can grow super big, sometimes weighing more than a large dog!

Turbot are a type of 'flatfish,' perfectly designed to live on the ocean floor.

Special abilities

Turbot can quickly change its skin color to perfectly match the sandy or gravelly seabed, helping it hide from predators and ambush prey.

Turbot has a super flat body that lets it bury itself partly or completely into the sand, becoming invisible to others.

Turbot has both eyes on one side of its head, allowing it to scan for food and danger while lying flat on the ocean floor.

Measurements & details

Length: 50-100 cm
Weight: 5-25 kg
Lifespan: 15-25 years
Swim Speed: 8 km/h
Max Depth: 100 m
Water Type: Saltwater

Diet & Feeding

A sneaky bottom-dweller that ambushes small fish and crustaceans from its sandy hideout.

Age differences: Young turbot primarily eat small invertebrates; as they grow, their diet shifts mainly to small fish.

Primary Foods

sandeels
gobies
shrimp
crabs
small mollusks

Foraging Method

Ambush

Ecological connections

eaten by

Grey Seal

Halichoerus grypus

Seals hunt Turbot as a common part of their varied marine diet.

eaten by

Spiny Dogfish

Squalus acanthias

These small sharks prey on Turbot and other bottom-dwelling fish.

hunts

Sandeel

Ammodytes marinus

Turbot ambush sandeels hiding in the sand for a quick meal.

hunts

Common Shrimp

Crangon crangon

Turbot also feasts on shrimp, snapping them up from the seafloor.

Traits

Wildlife

Step into the incredible world of wild animals and plants living freely in nature. From tiny insects to towering trees, it's all part of the wild wonders around us!

Solitary

Meet animals that enjoy their independence! These creatures prefer to live by themselves, finding food and shelter on their own.

Camouflaged

Look closely for animals that are masters of disguise, blending perfectly into their surroundings! Their colors and patterns help them hide from others.

Piscivorous

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Aquatic

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Giant

Prepare to be amazed by creatures or plants that are much bigger than usual! These impressive giants really stand out in the natural world.

Marine

Dive into the vast, salty waters of the ocean, teeming with an incredible diversity of life, from tiny plankton to giant whales! It's a watery wonderland.