Chascanopsetta

Chascanopsetta is a genus of deep-sea flounders found in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic Oceans. The depth range for the genus is believed to be ~150 to 650 m. (Amaoko and Parin 1990) As is the case for many deep-sea fishes, the bodies of Chascanopsetta flounders are strongly compressed and flexible and the mouth is very large. Around eight species are currently recognized (Froese and Pauly 2011), but additional species likely remain undescribed. Chascanopsetta are members of the family Bothidae, which are commonly known as the lefteye flounders. The term “lefteye” comes from the fact that, as a result of eye migration during development, adult bothids typically have two eyes on the left side of their body, with no eyes on the right side. The side with eyes is known as the “ocular side”, while the other side (which faces down when the fish is at rest on the bottom) is referred to as the “blind side” (Amaoka and Yamamoto 1984).