Flounder vs. Flatfish — What's the Difference?

Flounders are a group of flatfish species. They are demersal fish, found at the bottom of oceans around the world; some species will also enter estuaries.

A flatfish is a member of the ray-finned demersal fish order Pleuronectiformes, also called the Heterosomata, sometimes classified as a suborder of Perciformes. In many species, both eyes lie on one side of the head, one or the other migrating through or around the head during development.

To move clumsily or with little progress, as through water or mud.

Any of numerous chiefly marine fishes of the order Pleuronectiformes, including the flounders, soles, and halibuts, having a laterally compressed body with both eyes on the upper side.

To act or function in a confused or directionless manner; struggle

A fish of the order Pleuronectiformes, the adults of which have both eyes on one side and usually swim with the other side down, such as a flounder, a halibut, or a sole.

The act of floundering.

Any fish of the family Pleuronectidæ; esp., the winter flounder (Pleuronectes Americanus). The flatfishes have the body flattened, swim on the side, and have eyes on one side, as the flounder, turbot, and halibut. See Flounder.

Any of various marine flatfishes chiefly of the families Bothidae and Pleuronectidae, including several important food fishes.

Sweet lean whitish flesh of any of numerous thin-bodied fish; usually served as thin fillets

A European species of flatfish having dull brown colouring with reddish-brown blotches; fluke, European flounder, Platichthys flesus.

Any of several families of fishes having flattened bodies that swim along the sea floor on one side of the body with both eyes on the upper side

(North America) Any of various flatfish of the family Pleuronectidae or Bothidae.

A bootmaker's tool for crimping boot fronts.

(intransitive) To act clumsily or confused; to struggle or be flustered.

(intransitive) To flop around as a fish out of water.

(intransitive) To make clumsy attempts to move or regain one's balance.

To be in serious difficulty.

A flatfish of the family Pleuronectidæ, of many species.

A tool used in crimping boot fronts.

The act of floundering.

To fling the limbs and body, as in making efforts to move; to struggle, as a horse in the mire, or as a fish on land; to roll, toss, and tumble; to flounce.

Flesh of any of various American and European flatfish

Any of various European and non-European marine flatfish

Walk with great difficulty;

Behave awkwardly; have difficulties;