Sunday, February 18, 2007

Zebra Leopard Sole

I'm not sure what the real name of this species is; there are over 100 species. All soles have eyes on the right side of their body, so the nearer side of the first photo is actually the dorsal fin. Soles tend to be bolder in color than their flounder cousins - who change color to blend into their environment - but secrete a bitter, toxic substance from their dorsal and anal fins to deter predators.