Depth
Bothus · Bony Fish

Wide-eyed Flounder

Bothus podas

0-40m
Depth Range
Variable
Max Size
Mediterranean
Distribution
0-40m
Depth Range
Variable
Max Size
Reef & Open
Habitat
Carnivore
Diet
Solitary
Social
LC
IUCN Status
Very High
Sighting Likelihood
Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Class Actinopterygii
Genus Bothus
Species podas

Bony Fish

Identification & Biology

  • IdentificationSmall, oval flatfish with both eyes on the left side. The left eye is positioned higher than the right and widely separated from it. Sandy-brown body with scattered darker spots and two prominent dark blotches on the body.
  • SizeUp to 45 cm total length, commonly 12 to 20 cm.
  • Social HabitSolitary and bottom-dwelling. Lies flat on sandy substrates, camouflaged against the seabed.
  • HabitatSandy and muddy bottoms from the shallows to moderate depths.
  • Depth5 to 200 m, most common between 10 and 60 m.
  • Feeds OnSmall fish, crustaceans, and worms found on or near the seabed.
  • DistributionEastern Atlantic from Portugal to Angola, including the Mediterranean Sea.
  • DescriptionA common Mediterranean flatfish with distinctively wide-set eyes. It lies perfectly camouflaged on sandy bottoms and is usually only noticed when it swims away in a brief, fluttering burst. The two dark body blotches help identify it from other flatfish species.

Range

Habitat & Distribution

Found across the Mediterranean, inhabiting reef & open environments. Active from the surface down to 40m depth.

Where Malta divers have spotted this species

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Sightings are logged by divers using our What Did You See? dive-log tool. View the full live sightings map.

Detail

Preferred Environment

Reef & Open habitats, typically at depths of 0-40m. Most commonly encountered by divers at the shallower end of its range.

Encounter Tips

Best approached slowly and calmly. Avoid casting shadows directly over the animal. Neutral buoyancy and patience increase encounter success significantly.

Wide-eyed Flounder species card

Biology

Behaviour & Diet

Feeding Strategy

An ambush predator that lies camouflaged on the seabed and strikes at passing small fish, shrimp and worms.

Ambush predator

Reproduction

Spawns pelagic eggs that develop in the water column. Larvae are bilaterally symmetrical and undergo metamorphosis as they settle, with one eye migrating to the upper side.

Pelagic spawner

Behaviour & Defence

Master of camouflage, rapidly adjusting skin colour and pattern to match the surrounding substrate. Lies flat and motionless to avoid detection.

Camouflage

Dive with diveshack

Where to Encounter in Malta

The following dive sites offer strong habitat match for Bothus podas. All are accessible on a guided dive with diveshack.

5-30m
North Malta

Cirkewwa

Rocky reef with caves, arches and ledges hosting a rich diversity of reef species.

View dive site ›
5-50m
Gozo

Blue Hole

One of the Med's most famous reef dive sites. Rocky walls and archways covered in life.

View dive site ›
18-36m
South Malta

Um El Faroud

The wreck lies on a sandy bottom surrounded by rocky reef -- a diverse habitat attracting reef species.

View dive site ›
IUCN Red List Least Concern

Conservation Status

This species is assessed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. Mediterranean populations face ongoing pressure from fishing activity, habitat degradation, and climate-driven changes to prey availability.

Source: iNaturalist Guide #888
by Lesley Clements (CC BY-SA)
diveshack Mediterranean Marine Life guide