Digestive System and Sensorial Factors in Relation to the Feeding Behaviour of Flatfish (Pleuronectiformes)

Abstract

Flatfishes (Pleuronectiformes), belonging to the families Bothidae, Pleuronectidae and Soleidae were studied. A division could be made into fish-feeders, Crustacea feeders and polychaeta-mollusca feeders. This division is based on experiments in which the behaviour of the fish was studied in relation to different sensory factors (olfaction and vision) and was confirmed by morphological study of the digestive tract and gill rakers. As a rule the Bothidae are fish feeders, the Pleuronectidae Crustacea feeders, and the Soleidae polychaeta-mollusca feeders. However exceptions occur, especially in the Pleuronectidae.