Tonguefishes

Distribution: tropical and subtropical areas. Both eyes on left side of head; eyes very small with little interorbital space. Preopercle margin covered with skin. Asymmetrical mouth. Caudal fin pointed and confluent with dorsal and caudal fins. Right pelvic fin usually undeveloped. No pectoral fins. Dorsal fin origin at or in front of fixed (lower) eye. Vertebrae usually 9 or 10 + 33-66. To about 48 cm maximum length, usually below 30 cm. Tongue fishes are found in warm waters of all oceans (between 40° latitudes). Most species occur in shallow water or estuaries; many are commercially important.