What is the difference between flatfish and turbot? A quick guide to telling them apart
Flatfish and turbot are both flatfish and look very similar, but they still have differences. So, what are the differences between flatfish and turbot? Here is an introduction.
Difference one, different species: flatfish, namely flatfish and high-eye flounder, is the general name for fish of the order Pleuronectiformes in the class Osteichthyes, including fish of the families Psettodidae, Bothidae, Pleuronectidae, Soleidae and Cynoglossidae. Turbot, namely European flatfish and turbot, is a fish of the genus Scophthalmus in the family Scophthalmidae of the order Pleuronectiformes in the class Osteichthyes. It can be seen that turbot is a type of flatfish.
Difference two, different body shape: flatfish has an oval body shape, with both eyes on the left or right side; those with eyes on the left side are called flounder, and those with eyes on the right side are called plaice. One side of the body is black and the other side is white; the black side faces up and the white side faces down. Turbot has a long oval, oval or long tongue-shaped body, with both eyes on the left side of the head. The eyed side (back) is greenish brown or light brown, and the eyeless side (belly) is white, with irregular spots on the body surface.
Difference three, different distribution: flatfish mainly lives in the offshore waters of the western Pacific. It is most abundant in the Yellow Sea and Bohai Sea of China, and is sporadically seen in the East China Sea. The offshore waters of Rushan are a place where it settles year-round. Turbot is mainly produced along the European coast on the eastern side of the Atlantic. Its natural distribution area extends from Iceland in the north to the European coast near Morocco in the south, and it is commonly found in the North Sea and the Baltic Sea.
Difference four, different feeding habits: flatfish mainly feeds on small fish, followed by shrimps, cephalopods, echinoderms and polychaetes. It often forages at night and mostly feeds on starfish and other small animals. Turbot mainly feeds on benthic invertebrates and fish, mainly preying on small fish and shrimps. Its prey includes spotted mullet, striped mullet, white mullet and grass shrimp.
Difference five, different ways of eating: flatfish is often deep-fried. Its meat is tender and delicious, and it has few small bones, making it especially suitable for the elderly and children. Turbot is eaten by steaming and stewing, and is also a good material for making sashimi. Its fish head, bones, skin and fins can also be used to make soup.
In summary, although flatfish and turbot are both flatfish, they differ in species, body shape, distribution, feeding habits and ways of eating, and turbot is a type of flatfish, so the two have a subordinate relationship.