Family: Pleuronectidae, Righteye Flounders view all from this family

Description To 14" (36 cm). Deep, highly compressed, eyes on right side; eyed side brown with darker mottling, blind side creamy white; prominent C- and O- shaped marks on caudal fin. Snout rounded; mouth small, almost hidden by eyes when viewed from above. Dorsal fin origin anterior to middle of upper eye; 4-6 anterior soft rays of dorsal fin extend onto blind side but not beyond mouth; caudal peduncle about one-fourth body depth; caudal fin rounded, cycloid scales on both sides. Lateral line lacks abrupt arch over pectoral fin, dorsal branch extends posteriorly to about middle of body.

Related Species Curlfin Sole (P. decurrens) has at least 9 dorsal fin soft rays extending onto blind side, reaching below mouth; occurs from Prince William Sound, Alaska, to Bahia San Quintin, Baja California. Spotted Turbot (P. ritteri) has 1-2 black spots on middle of lateral line; caudal peduncle less than one-fourth body depth; occurs from Morro Bay, California, to Bahia Magdalena, Baja California. Hornyhead Turbot (P. verticalis) has 2 prominent spines between eyes; occurs from Point Reyes, California, to Bahia Magdalena, Baja California. All in similar habitat.

Habitat Over soft bottoms and rocks to depths of 191 fathoms.

Range From SE. Alaska to Cabo Colnett, Baja California.

Discussion This flatfish probably spawns during late winter and early spring; its eggs float near the surface. Small numbers of C-O Soles are caught by anglers with hook and line and by commercial trawlers. Like other flatfishes, the C-O Sole is edible.