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Pleuronectidae, also known as righteye flounders, are a family of . They are called "righteye flounders" because most species lie on the sea bottom on their left sides, with both eyes on their right sides. The Paralichthyidae are the opposite, with their eyes on the left side. A small number of species in Pleuronectidae can also have their eyes on the left side, notably the members of the genus Platichthys.Eschmeyer W.N.; Herald, E.S.; and Hammann, H. (1983). A Field Guide to Pacific Coast Fishes. Peterson Field Guides. Muus, B.J; Nielsen, J.G.; Dahlstrøm, P.; Nyström, B.O. (1991). Sea Fish.
Their dorsal fin and are long and continuous, with the dorsal fin extending forward onto the head. Females lay eggs that float in mid-water until the larvae develop, and they sink to the bottom. (1998). 9780125476652, Academic Press. ISBN 9780125476652
They are found on the bottoms of oceans around the world, with some species, such as the Atlantic halibut, Hippoglossus hippoglossus, being found down to . The smaller species eat sea-floor invertebrates such as and , but the larger righteye flounders, such as H. hippoglossus, which grows up to in length, feed on other fishes and , as well.
They include many important commercially fished species, including not only the various fish called , but also the European plaice, the , the lemon sole, the common dab, the Pacific Dover sole, and the Summer flounder.
The name of the family is derived from the Greek language πλευρά ( pleura), meaning "rib" or "side", and νηκτόν ( nekton), meaning "swimming".
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